Beautiful tributes were everywhere visible over the two days since Mandela's death on December 5th. Rightfully so - just as it will be right and proper to conduct all of the on-going celebrations of his life, both those we are shown on television and the many that will happen away from our public eye. Mr. Mandela was one of the truly great and towering figures of all human history.
Watching the coming barrage of praises to be heaped upon this great man, praises from all sectors, will be a bittersweet experience. Because I know that many of them will be completely hypocritical.
Why is Mandela celebrated as a great human being? Because of his great humanity - his humanitarianism. He stood for equality for all of us living under the label: homo sapiens. He stands in the line with the Buddha, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. Are these activist icons of history roundly loved or even highly admired by ALL people? Far from it; many hate them and what they stood for. Likewise, as the days of mourning Mandela slip into history, his detractors will come into view - and definitely into earshot. Some were already heard on day-1.
Soon there will surely be a comment hurled by some harsh hardliner who represents those on the opposite side of the resistance against racism and inequality. For example, a person such as the confidant of one of our loud and ugly tea-party Senators (the writer who purportedly celebrates the birthday anniversary of John Wilkes Booth), may well offer the opinion that it was a mistake to let Mandela out of prison - or even that the young resistance leader should have been given the death penalty.
There is an amazing hatred within our societies for the very concept of equality, and naturally, hatred for those who promote it. Imagine - a profoundly lovely song by John Lennon promoting equality and peace - is certainly not respected or loved by any of those who do not love the likes of Mandela or the others mentioned above. Certainly many speak openly against John Lennon and probably could not even listen to that beautiful song, which contains some of the finest sentiments ever set to music. One of my all-time favorites because I love peace and equality.
I've purposely avoided directly linking my thoughts this morning to my most recent post prior to this one, but it's impossible to miss the obvious.
I share your sentiments, Mark.
ReplyDeleteI also share in your sentiments about Mandela. Regarding John Lennon, I never fully appreciated, nor did I understand the real meanings found in Imagine and in his other compositions until long after I had left the WCG cult. Now, I think he was a musical and lyrical genius. Joyce Rutter
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful to hear from you, Dear Lady - and all the more because you express totally endearing sentiments that have opened to you. It's good that we can share these.
DeletePlease have the happiest of new years. So glad to know you!