Nelson Mandela: A World Alike!

Nelson Mandela:  A World Alike!

My earliest memory of Nelson Mandela and Apartheid is riding the 95^th street bus and passing a church on the south side of Chicago, Trinity United Church of Christ and seeing a sign that reads, “Free South Africa.” My first thoughts were what, why and how? But the latter really stood out in my mind. How?

 In August 1988 I went away to college. I was leaving my west side neighborhood and stepping into a world of new insights, experiences, and people.  It was a different world. My love for rap developed and my favorite group Public Enemy took my black consciousness to a new level. The group was very political and gave a voice to issues that were affecting the black community and the world. It was so cool and so very bold to be free enough to speak out against the wrongs of the world. While this was going on in the world of rap, a black television show called, “ A Different World” was making a moral and financial statement as well.

In 1990 A Different World aired an episode entitled, “ A World Alike.” Showing the Hillman students making choices about supporting a company who gives money to the college or standing firm on what is right for the people of South Africa! I was able to see what it meant to divest, sacrifice, to take a stand against the wrongs of the world. This was a fictional TV show about black college students taking stands and giving voice to real life issues! It was no longer about me but about others who were oppressed and suffering in the world.  I learned that if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything! I also learned about the power of money but moreover capitalism! In that very moment I needed to KNOW Nelson Mandela and South Africa! It began to burn in my spirit. It was permanent in my conscience and I could no longer ignore it.   My question of how from riding the 95^th street bus had become my reality.  

I remember Public Enemy’s front man Chuck D singing, “I like Nike but wait a minute, the neighborhoods are poor so put some money in it.” So many of my friends had Jordan’s gym shoes, we were loyal faithful consumers of Nike but what was Nike doing for us? What was Nike doing for the world?   There were so many corporations and universities connected to Apartheid it was crazy! So much changed for me in the late 80’s and the 90’s. My worldview expanded beyond my needs to the needs of others. My worldview expanded from the west side of Chicago to South Africa. Social Justice was forming within me and I didn’t even know what it was!  In the mid 90’s I joined a church in Detroit, MI, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church.  The Rev. Dr. Charles Gilchrist Adams is the pastor and his ministry took my learning on social justice and Jesus to another level! Theology was no longer a big word from seminary but a word that I had to discover, unpack and then release! The word Liberation gave my choices power!

Its amazing how three words, Free South Africa and a man action’s changed the world!  I can remember Nelson Mandela getting release from prison after 27 years.  I can also remember the excitement for his US tour! I remember my anger about his imprisonment and I remember my joy about his release! I remember my ignorance and curiosity of the Free South Africa sign!  

I repost an article from the Grio on my Facebook page that Michael Bloomberg announces the creation of the Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice. I received one comment; “a school were the students will learn to subvert the very system that made Bloomberg rich, neat”.

From the words of Colby the South African student at Hillman College, “The way it is, is not the way it has to be!” Julian the transfer student at Hillman replied:   “Things always work its way back!”   Some prime examples, me seeing the Free South Africa sign in the 80’s and 20 years later I am a member of that very congregation. Nelson Mandela a prisoner to the President!   Yes indeed things work their way back!

My favorite quote from Tata Madiba is, “ a real leader uses every issue, no matter how serious and sensitive to ensure that at the end of the debate we should emerge stronger.”

The A Different World episode: A World Alike was just one of the catalyst that woke me up and taught me about the divestment movement. Economic boycotts do work!

Thank you Madiba, for your life, leadership and legacy.  You shaped my belief of the world, belief of humanity and especially my faith in social justice. Because of you I have emerge stronger in the fight for justice!