NELSON MANDELA’S LIFE AND LEGACY INSTRUCTIVE FOR A NATION THAT CONTINUES TO GRAPPLE WITH RACE, RACISM
Washington – Advancement Project' today joins the nation in celebrating the life of South African President and iconic world leader Nelson Mandela. As South Africa’s first black president, Mandela was a pioneer for justice and freedom. His extraordinary commitment and sacrifice toward toppling racist Apartheid serves as a shining example of what one person can do to change the world. While we are all touched by his gift, his legacy is especially instructive for a nation that continues to grapple with race and racism.
Mandela used his voice for the greater good throughout his life — from his humble beginnings as a freedom fighter, during his imprisonment, and through his later role as an elder statesman. After emerging from his 27 year imprisonment, Mandela cast aside any bitterness and instead preached reconciliation, ending South Africa’s racist Apartheid rule not through violence, but dialogue.
“There was joy when Mr. Mandela was released from prison, joy when he was elected president, and while his passing has saddened us all, we take joy in knowing he lived his life fully and saw his dream come to fruition, even in the worst of times,” said Penda Hair, Co-Director for Advancement Project. “He leaves behind a legacy of opportunity for so many. It is now up to us to honor and preserve that legacy.”
“As an organization working to create a more just democracy by eliminating racism in school discipline, increasing community safety while reducing police suppression tactics in gang violence hot zones, clearing barriers to the ballot box, ensuring greater equity in public schools, and restoring voting rights for persons with prior felony convictions, Advancement Project holds Mr. Mandela out as an example of what can be accomplished through perseverance, commitment and forgiveness,” said Advancement Project Co-Director Judith Browne Dianis. “Like many leaders in the US civil rights movement, Mandela dreamed about a world without racism and inspired the people of South Africa and around the world to act.”
“We join the countless people around the world who mourn the passing of Nelson Mandela, while also reflecting on his words and legacy,” said John Kim, Managing Co-Director of Advancement Project’s California office. “Through his unbending example as a champion for peace, and a warrior against oppression and division – and armed with the steadfast belief that ‘social equality is the only basis of human happiness’ – he continues to be an inspiration to so many of us who work to confront injustices in our own communities. Even as we say goodbye with heavy hearts, we are comforted knowing that the world is better because he lived.”
Advancement Project is a multi-racial civil rights organization. Founded by a team of veteran civil rights lawyers in 1999, Advancement Project was created to develop and inspire community-based solutions based on the same high quality legal analysis, public education campaigns and systems transformation that produced the landmark civil rights victories of earlier eras.
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