Nelson Mandela's Role In Civil Disobedience

An argument against disobedience being a valuable trait is that disobedience always leads to violence. This argument is incorrect because there are many examples of disobedience that have not led to violence. o example of an act of disobedience without the use of violence can be seen when looking at the life of Nelson Mandela. Mandela was one of the leaders of the revolution against apartheid in South Africa. As a child, Mandela was born into the Tembu tribal clan. Despite having a high position in the clan, Mandela left the tribal lifestyle in order to become a lawyer. Through his time in South Africa, Mandela noticed the system of apartheid that existed in the country. Mandela wanted to create change and soon joined the African National Congress. This group fought for the rights of black South Africans. They did this using nonviolent methods “ such as testifying before parliament and submitting petitions” (Sawinski 1). This group created change without causing bloodshed. The government responded violently to the protests of the African National Congress. In the 1950’s, many blacks were killed and Mandela was arrested. He was eventually let out, only to be given life in prison in 1962. Mandela served twenty-seven years in prison. Mandela’s influence began to spread inside and outside the prison, and he was sent to a maximum security prison. After intense international pressure, South Africa released Mandela. Mandela went back to the African National Congress, and “persuaded his comrades to suspend the armed struggle they had been waging against the South African government” (Sawinski 1). With the influence he gained, Mandela started speaking around the world to spread awareness and raise funds for his cause. Soon, he became the president of the African National Congress, and kept fighting for the rights of black South Africans. In his lifetime, Mandela helped get rid of apartheid in South Africa and

After getting arrested and maybe a death sentence Nelson would still not let his people down. He tells the judge that he “was prepared to die secure in the knowledge that [his] death would be an inspiration to the cause for which [he] was giving [his] life” (Doc. L). He was going to lead the people as an inspiration dead or alive for freedom. Mandela wasn’t the only person who knew how to make their name heard the world around for being a decent leader Gandhi was too. Gandhi wanted to fast and make the world equal again. He has protested, but occasionally you couldn’t actually tell if it was a protest. He would lead people on to fast and pray for him to mock the opposing side. Gandhi says “this idea came to [him] last night in a dream that we should call on the country to observe a general hartal” (Doc. A). Gandhi is always coming up with respectable ideas for the people and ways to obtain free rights. MLK also had a say in this just halfway around the world. King was all for giving a person a voice and leading them to ways to end segregation. After getting arrested for boycotting, one hundred African-Americans went to jail; some of the people were transformed. After this he started to walk “with this feeling of solitude around me, I walked with firm steps towards the rear end of the jail” (Doc. K).

6) however, like Gandhi, he encouraged the volunteers not to retaliate. Mandela spent 26 years and 8 months in jail as punishment for his protesting however, he felt that “no sacrifice was too great in the struggle for freedom” (Doc. 9). He spent time in jail with other protesters that all felt that “whatever sentences [they] received, even the death sentence… [their] deaths would not be in vain” (Doc. 9). Freedom for the South African people from apartheid finally came in 1993. To Mandela this was not just the freedom of his people but “the freedom of all people, black and white” (Doc. 12). “South Africa’s New Democracy” rose after years of continuous nonviolence from the populace.

Many individuals in the past have roles in civil disobedience, the most popular individual being Martin Luther King Junior. During the time, blacks were often discriminated and segregated from whites because of the color of their skin. Dr. King was one of the leaders who stood up against discrimination and influenced many across the nation. In Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” speech, he states, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” In this statement, Dr. King implies that without someone to disobey society and fight for problems in society, nobody will live the life they wish to live. His act of disobeying society and fighting for equality shaped America into a more united and civilized society. Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi and his use of non-violent civil disobedience also greatly benefitted India’s society. In a video clip shown in class, Gandhi tells his followers not to fall into the path of society, but to walk his or her own path. If one doesn’t truly give up power to society, they will never truly be owned. Gandhi’s peaceful civil disobedience allowed India to achieve its independence and lead to happiness for himself, society, and generations

Disobedience was strong when it came to Nelson Mandela. He became an advocate for civil disobedience and managed to become the very first black president of South Africa (Pechey, 2008). He was known to use his voice not only for speech, but as well as the brutality used to cease the Apartheid government of South Africa. What does Apartheid mean? It is meant to be used as an insurance non colored people who covered 20 percent of the nation’s population who would maintain the governing statues of the country Evans, 2015). The South African government grew violently in the process to divide the native Africans from their families and their homes as they were not viewed the same as Europeans (Engler, 2013). Nelson Mandela used his voice to protest

Martin Luther King Jr to devote their life’s to practice civil disobedience to achieve their goal. Practicing such act can costs its leader their life’s (M.LK), imprisonment (Nelson Mandela), or exile (Martin Luther). In addition, it takes generation after generation to feel the progress their ancestors have started. Without the great minds that stand up for us, we would all be slaves today. Nowadays, the powerful that rule us are getting weaker and weaker thanks to historical figures who stood against them. Civil disobedience is in a man’s natural instinct, when unalienable rights become violated/removed, then individuals will stand up and fight for them. Disobedience has the greatest effect when it is done in peaceful terms, rather than by the sword. Gandhi is a perfect example for this practice. He led millions of Hindus to peacefully resist against the all mighty British army. He simply sat down and waited for the results to happen, which they did, India received its independence. In today’s society, disobedience is approached the improper way and instead of progressing, these so called leaders are losing its followers and diminishing the value of disobedience.

Martin Luther King, Jr. learned many lessons from a lecture given by Mohandas Gahandi. He learned about non violent protests from Gahandi. Mohandas was born in India, and he moved to South Africa later. He was able to gain equal rights for South Africa’s Indians by protesting discrimination through general strikes and marches planned in a peaceful, nonviolent way,(Fleming 1-119).He was also involved in civil disobedience. Civil Disobedience is refusal to obey the law, because a person believes the law is immoral. Before the civil rights movement, civil disobedience was not acceptable, and Martin Luther King believed in the peace protest. Mohandas was jailed because of his beliefs. MLK was also influenced by Henry David Thoreau, and achieve social change. While learning more about the civil rights movement, and Gahandi, Martin became a pastor.

Nelson Mandela was an inspiring,peaceful protester that went to jail for is work of trying to ban the racial apartheid in South Africa.Furthermore, evidence that would back up my claim is “I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed,but the freedom of everyone who looked like I did.”The statement show he wants freedom not for himself but all Africans living in South Africa this means he isn't selfish but selfless and thinks not for himself but for the greater good of others.Furthermore evidence that backs up my claim would be “When I walked out of prison,that was my mission to liberate oppressed and the oppressor both.”The evidence shows Mandela forgave his oppressor and holds no grudge against them, but his true goal was to end the

Nelson Mandela, a civil rights activist once said, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.” Nelson Mandela used civil disobedience in South Africa to try to give rights to the black Africans in that country. Mandela’s involvement in civil disobedience was due to personal influences, he chose to participate in civil disobedience to protest racial discrimination in South Africa , and he did achieve success using this controversial method of standing up for what he strongly believes to be right. Civl disobedience is when a person or group protest when people breaks

     1942 started Nelson Mandela’s participation in the racial oppression in South Africa. He joined the African National Congress (ANC), led by Anton Lembede. In 1944, Mandela joined up with Walter Sisulu, William Nkomo, Oliver R. Tambo, and Ashby P.

Imagine being systematically oppressed from the moment you exited the womb. All your civil rights, based on the amount of melanin in your skin. Drinking from the wrong water fountain, could even get you thrown into jail. Coincidently; this was the life, of black South Africans from the moment of Dutch colonization in 1652, to the first true democratic election in 1994. Apartheid, meaning “separateness” in Afrikaans; was legal segregation enforced by The National Party (NP) from 1948 to 1994. It legally imposed preexisting policies of racial discrimination on the Majority of the South African population. The entire basis of the racist policies, was the darker your complexion the less legal rights you had. Presumably this injustice, could have continued much longer if it weren’t for all involved in the fight against the NP, however the man who arguably contributed the most, was Nelson Mandela. He ended an apartheid, with both his philanthropy and political prowess. He united a nation that used to be segregated; which seemed a daunting task at the time, but through the sweat and bloodshed he achieved the impossible. This alone exhibited his heroic characteristics, but to be more precise: both his actions and inactions lead to his success. Furthermore, Mandela was both a strong leader and forgiving at the same-time. Being in the forefront of the abolishment movement, was an extremely risky move during the apartheid. He risked his life for what he believed in, and this personal

Nelson Mandela was given the choice of leaving prison under one condition. He would no longer be violent for racial equality. He didn’t accept the offer and stayed in prison. During the time that Nelson Mandela was in prison, people started to look up to him over time and think of him as a symbol of racial equality. People had concerts and protests for Nelson Mandela while he was in prison.

Born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, a village in the Transkei, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela became a prominent figure in global politics until recent times. Nelson was born on July 18 under the name Rolihlahla Mandela, to parents Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela. He began to attend school at the age of seven in Qunu. While here he was given the name Nelson by a teacher, and name that stuck with him forever. His father was royalty, and was the principal chancellor to the Acting King of the Thembu people. When his father past away in 1930, while Nelson was twelve, it left Nelson to take his fathers position. He would continue to attend school, earning a bachelors degree from the University of South Africa in 1942. In 1944 he married for the first time to Evelyn Ntoko Mase and together they had four children: Thembekile, Makaziwe (who died in infancy), Makgatho, and Makaziwe. In the same year he helped form the African National Congress Youth League. Four years later he was elected secretary of the group, and three years after that, president. After Mahatma Gandhi, perhaps no other leader has influenced the global politics as Nelson Mandela did, in the twentieth century. Even though Mandela has fought for the well-being of the African people, his vision, mission, and charisma have contributed heavily to the entire world. His fight against racism and discrimination has rejuvenated the oppressed people all over the world. Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was a man who learned from his previously violent ways and thoroughly used peace to his advantage in his fight against apartheid, and in the leading of South Africa. Nelson Mandela grew up as a peaceful person and in 1943 went to law school for his degree. While in law school, he got very interested in politics and joined a radical protest group, the African National Congress (The ANC). The ANC got into a lot of trouble with the government for their ideas about a place without apartheid. Mandela was arrested in 1963 and sentenced to life in prison. The government let him out of

On July 18th, 1918, the powerful and praiseworthy Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa into the royal family of the Xhosa-speaking Thembu tribe. From an early age, Mandela demonstrated his passion for fighting for the rights of his people. He was greatly inspired by the stories he heard about his ancestors during their times of struggle. It is through determination and dedication that Mandela accomplished many of his goals including an end to apartheid. In fact, Mandela received a Nobel Peace Prize for this outstanding achievement. However, his journey was not simple, for the heroic and moral leader faced difficult struggles and had to make compromises throughout his lifetime.