Inspiration

Thanks to the classes I've taken over the summer, I've been exposed to some really inspirational figures. Among them-Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa, Teresa of Avila, Sojourner Truth, the list goes on.

The most recent was Nelson Mandela, who I wrote my research project on. Next time you think about conviction or taking a stand, against injustice or otherwise, consider this: Nelson Mandela spent 27 years incarcerated as a political prisoner for the charge of treason against an all white government. He was offered conditional release a number of times, but would not accept until his colleagues were released. Beyond that, upon his release, he condemned violence and endorsed forgiveness. Four years later, he won South Africa's first "democratic" national election, in which all people, black and white, were able to vote. This took place just 16 years ago (in 1994). I remember hearing about it on the news. I never knew why until now.

The takeaway-oppression still exists in various forms. It's still very pervasive even in our own society. And I'm not just talking racism and sexism. There are 7 categories of otherness that we are judged by, according to Beverly Daniel Tatum. They are race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, class (SES), and mental and physical ability.

It takes people the likes of Nelson Mandela, Mohatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Mercy Amba Okuyoye to do something about it. What drives these people? What drives us? Beyond that, why aren't we more concerned about what's reflected within the greater human character? I'm rambling.