Paying Tribute to Nelson Mandela
With the death of Nelson Mandela this past week, a few students asked for help in organizing a tribute. At Midnight Breakfast and at the Spiritual Life Center hot chocolate open houses this week, students were given an opportunity to reflect on how they would live differently because of the challenge and standard that Mandela set for the world. Below are several quotes of Mandela’s and a few of the quotes gathered from our community:
Nelson Mandela:
– Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
– There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.
– A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.
– Does anybody really think that they didn’t get what they had because they didn’t have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?
– Let there be work, bread, water, and salt for all.
– Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.
– I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
– There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
– There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.
– It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.
From the LC Community:
– I am willing to spread the knowledge of diversity and try to end stereotypes and discrimination.
– Smile at someone who needs it.
– I pledge to make the world a better place by committing random acts of kindness and not expecting anything in return, by learning things for the sake of learning, and by loving everyone, whether they deserve it or not.
– I pledge to love and care for those who do not yet have the capacity to love and care for themselves.
– To continue to work for human rights and help at least one person a day.
– Peace begins within. I pledge to pay attention to my own inner feelings, first of judgementalness, criticism, anger, and ill will. I will work to be a peaceful person and then strive to radiate that peace to my family, my friends, my colleagues, the stranger, and hopefully an enemy.
– I pledge to always try and make a difference in this world even when the odds are against me.
Even with the busyness of finals and grading, I invite you to spend a few moments reflecting on the big picture and the good you are able to do in the world. It is hard to have much perspective this week, but perhaps that is why we need to remember Mandela’s great wisdom even more.
Blessings, Stephanie