Dickinson to Durban » Summer Reading Responses
A Call to Arms
Explain the reasons behind the creation of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). Do you think adopting violence as a method strengthened or weakened the anti-apartheid movement? Fifty years of non-violent opposition to the government of South Africa brought the majority of South African residents nothing but oppression. After fifty years of stay at homes, slow downs, strikes, and rallies, the African National Congress (ANC) had made little progress and the patience of the nation was wearing thin. Without a more radical solution, the nation of South Africa would erupt in a series of slaughters by the dictatorial government. Non-violence was only strategy and Nelson Mandela knew this. After examining the state of his nation, Mandela recognized the need for a reevaluation of ANC tactics. Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) was the result of his … Read entire article »
Filed under: Summer Reading Responses
Did violence strengthen the movement?
1. Explain the reasons behind the creating of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). Do you think adopting violence as a method strengthened or weakened the anti-apartheid movement? Umkhoto we Sizwe (MK) was formed after fifty years of non-violent resistance by the ANC. In those fifty years, non-violent resistance brought a sense of unity to the masses, but it had not managed to instigate changes in the government. After fifty years people were tired of having their peaceful resistance met with harsh and unnecessary violence. When MK is formed it is to take the resistance to the next level. Non-violent resistance has united the African people, but the movement was starting to fall apart as people became more frustrated with the lack of results. Fifty years later and they are still fighting the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Mosaic Action, Summer Reading Responses
“It is what we make out of what we have…”
How did Mandela’s childhood and education impact his political philosophy? Nelson Mandela’s youth is not exactly what one would expect of a Presidential leader. Dirt floors, thatched huts, and country life led a childhood with little privilege and dispensation. Fortunately, Mandela was the son of a Chief, which offered more opportunity than most growing up in the Mvezo Village. Among the few opportunities he was granted, Mandela was provided with an education. His educational pursuits, life in the Mvezo Village, and membership of the Xhosa nation all have led Mandela to the political philosophy he abided by throughout his time as a Freedom Fighter and a political figure. Mandela’s British education played a large role in how he understood African civilization and concepts early on. Mandela states, “The education I received was a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Summer Reading Responses
The “humanness” of nearsightedness
How can we reconcile the variability of weather with that of climate? How does our humanness restrict our thinking? Climate change was observed by scientists as early as the 1930’s, it was not, however, accepted by the general public until as late as the 2000’s and much of the public still questions its validity. This lag between data collection and public education and understanding has harmed our chances of turning the problem around. Even when word spread we had a hard time believing in the severity of the problem, when “asked to name environmental problems facing the nation, most Americans would think of pollution of drinking water, local smog, or the destruction of tropical forests ahead of climate change” (185): all very visible threats. As humans we have a tendency to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Mosaic Action, Summer Reading Responses
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