“Father forgive them for they know not what they do” were the last known recorded words of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and they’re still as relevant today as they were 2,000 years ago.
Sunday 18th July is Nelson Mandela Day, who is famous for his unjust 27-year prison sentence, much of which was spent in solitary confinement. Upon his release, he would once again join political life in South Africa and eventually rise to the position of President, unifying the nation in a post-apartheid climate. Yet, it was his merciful manner and forgiving nature, despite the cruel injustice he was subject to, that won him the hearts of so many around the world and cemented his status as an icon of peace and justice.
Leela Ramdeen had the honour of meeting Mr. Mandela during a visit to Brixton London, which she recounts in this week’s upcoming article in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian Newspapers. To quote Leela’s experience of the day:
“My brief meeting with Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on 12th July 1996, and, indeed, his visit to Brixton Recreation Centre on that day, filled me with hope for humanity. This was the first state visit to Britain by a South African President. He was accompanied by Prince Charles.
I still have warm memories of the chants: “Madiba! Madiba!”; the upbeat reggae music filling the air, and the amazing sight of people, including school children (they all had the day off in Lambeth), dancing and lining the streets, chanting on rooftops and balconies. It is estimated that more than 12,000 people gathered there on that eventful day.
At that time I was Vice-President of The National Assembly Against Racism (NAAR) and Co-President of the UK’s National Black Alliance of Asian, African & Caribbean Organisations. For years I had struggled alongside many dedicated individuals to combat racism in the UK.”
Today’s world still grapples with the injustice of racism.
Mandela’s torture was 27 years. George Floyd’s was between. Floyd was dead for a full minute before Officer Chuavin removed his infamous knee from Floyd’s neck. Yet, both sparked movements as prejudice based on the colour of one’s skin is a shared pain and torture. Social justice teaches us that we must speak out against societal ills such as racism. “It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do”.
Yet, the solution or the balm to the personal pain of injustice was given to us many years ago, 2,000 years to be exact. Forgiveness. Choose this day to forgive and find freedom within yourself. And, as Leela states in her article on Mandela:
“[To] I end with the words of this legend, an anti-apartheid activist, lawyer, political leader, political prisoner, philanthropist, global advocate for human rights, international peacemaker, and former President of South Africa, who is described as the “Father of the Nation” in South Africa:
