Mandela & the Legacy of Peace

Early on Nelson Mandela was an insurrectionist, a revolutionary who advocated violence as an option for liberation from an oppressive regime. It is not hard to argue that his convictions during the late 1950's and 1960's were justified, given the evil of apartheid in South Africa.
This was systemic subjugation of a significant portion of the population, only a step away from slavery. We know that in other countries the violent overthrow of rulers was the outcome of oppression. The upcoming cover of the New Yorker magazine portrays Mandela as that fiery leader of an earlier time.

That was not the story for South Africa, nor for Nelson Mandela as its first black leader. Twenty seven years in prison did not break Mandela's spirit, but he emerged in 1990 a changed man. He remained steadfast to the cause of freedom during his incarceration but when he was released he did not advocate retribution.

Cell 4664 of Robben Island might have been the place where he went mad, or plotted revenge. Instead the crucible of the prison cell prepared him to be one of the great statespersons of the 20th century. After his election Mandela partnered with the equally remarkable Archbishop Desmond Tutu to promote reconciliation and a peaceful transition. Wise commentators offer that this was calculated, that the country needed the white civil servants and business leaders and farmers to ensure that the country didn't collapse. If there had been am ouster or massacre of the white population the international community would have quickly turned against a government which had no experience governing. This is probably true, but creating peace can be calculating. Waging peace is, at times, as calculated as waging war.

As we approach Peace Sunday in Advent we can be mindful that choosing to be peacemakers is not fanciful or unrealistic. It is demanding and requires a fierce sense of purpose. In the end we admire those who have the moral fortitude to carry out their goals for peace. The world is a better place for Nelson Mandela and those like him.

Thoughts?