Nilson Mandela Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nilson Mandela - Essay Example During the early years of South Africa, racial discrimination was so apparent in this country because of the apartheid policy. This system provided inequality among its citizens and blacks were deprived of equal opportunities for work, housing, education and political power. The apartheid policy which was referred to as â€Å"separate development† in 1950 separated the blacks from the whites, enforced segregation in public facilities, and separate educational standards. The mounting pressures from the international community led to the dismantling of the apartheid policy in 1990, and eventually, the release of all black prisoners that included Mandela. (Robinson, Jr. n.d.) Nelson Mandela was so much opposed in this system and sought to end it by becoming a leader of several groups and movements to go up against the British system. For this, he was charged with activism and treason and was sentenced to life imprisonment. For several times, he was offered his freedom in exchange of promise that he would renounce his anti-apartheid ideals and violence but he refused. When he was released from prison on February 11, 1990, it was shown that he and his delegation agreed to the suspension of armed struggle. Robinson, n.d. said that when the South African Constitution was reformed in 1994, a general free election was held wherein; Mandela was the first democratically elected President of South Africa who served the country from May 10, 1994 to June 1999. His term legally ended the apartheid policy and put the racial discrimination to rest. In what ways did the efforts of Gandhi affect Mandela? Mandela was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi because of the parallelism on their beliefs on freedom struggles through non-violent process. Although born in India, Mahatma was an adopted citizen of South Africa and was one of those who shaped the liberation movement. Mandela followed Mahatma’s strategy of non-violent protest up to a point when the passive resistance can no longer stand the brute force of the oppressor. At first, sabotage was used because it did not mean loss of life, but later on they used militant force because Mandela believed that â€Å"force is the only language that imperialist can hear; and that no country became free who did not use force†. Mahatma also conceded to arms when necessary. Mahatma said: "Where choice is set between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence... I prefer to use arms in defense of honor rather than remain the vile witness of dishonor ..." Violence and nonviolence are not mutually exclusive; it is the predominance of the one or the other that labels a struggle. (â€Å"A tribute to Nelson Mandela† 2011) What parallels can be drawn between Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr.? The two shared the same vision of emancipation of the blacks in their own countries; the blacks in South Africa, and the blacks in America. They are both aspirants of non-violent demonstration of protests and h ave gathered inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi. Both succumbed to prosecutions, arrests and subjected to personal abuse. Nonetheless, they were unaffected by the pursuits of government authorities and emerged as leaders of the people, steadfast in their desire for equality of men. Martin Luther King was recognized for his efforts on the civil rights movement, while Mandela was justified when he was elected as President of Sout