Dickinson to Durban » Entries tagged with "Nelson Mandela"
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
What makes a freedom fighter?
(In response to the prompt ” How did Nelson Mandela’s Childhood and education impact his political philosophy?”) Nelson Mandela was not always the man we know him to be today. Not every human is destined to become their country’s first African attorney, be imprisoned for 27 years, and later become the winner of a Nobel Peace Prize. Yet, however extraordinary the events of Nelson Mandela’s life were to become, they began in much the same way as many other poverty-stricken Africans of his generation. He, his mother, and siblings lived in small mud-walled huts without any of the modern amenities available at that time. Mandela spent his early years enjoying the simple games of stick fighting and meals of samp (corn porridge) and beans, while leaning to look after sheep and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Summer Reading Responses
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