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zainub_reads 's review for:
Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
by Nelson Mandela
This fascinating account of the life of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, The Father of South-Africa begins with the memories of his childhood growing up in Cape Province among family and later at about nine years of age as he is entrusted to a foster father’s care after the death of his own father.
His pursuit of higher education and involvement with a student council that in some ways set the trajectory of his life.
In a chronological and objective narrative Mandela, whose Xhosa name -Rolihlahla means “troublemaker”, gives us a glimpse into his life as he went from accepting the “White superiority” norm as a way of life to realizing the extent of how deeply racism had infiltrated all of society and championing for equal rights for all South Africans regardless of color.
Despite having spent 27 years in jail Mandela refused to give up his demands for a free society or renounce the use of violence as a valid way of fighting apartheid. Yes, you read that right.
Mandela admits the moral goodness of non-violence and makes frequent references to Gandhi and the Indian community of South Africa while also being very clear on the fact that non-violence in such a situation is an ineffective weapon.
His journey from being a prisoner of the state to its leader is captivating to say the least and his clear, concise recollections, simple language, and basic humanity as he faced insurmountable odds make for an enlightening and unforgettable read.
“A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness."
“While I did not normally give to African beggars, I felt the urge to give this woman money.
In that moment I realized the tricks that apartheid plays on one, for the everyday travails that afflict Africans are accepted as a matter of course, while my heart immediately went out to this bedraggled white woman.
In South Africa, to be poor and black was normal, to be poor and white was a tragedy.”
“A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones”
His pursuit of higher education and involvement with a student council that in some ways set the trajectory of his life.
In a chronological and objective narrative Mandela, whose Xhosa name -Rolihlahla means “troublemaker”, gives us a glimpse into his life as he went from accepting the “White superiority” norm as a way of life to realizing the extent of how deeply racism had infiltrated all of society and championing for equal rights for all South Africans regardless of color.
Despite having spent 27 years in jail Mandela refused to give up his demands for a free society or renounce the use of violence as a valid way of fighting apartheid. Yes, you read that right.
Mandela admits the moral goodness of non-violence and makes frequent references to Gandhi and the Indian community of South Africa while also being very clear on the fact that non-violence in such a situation is an ineffective weapon.
His journey from being a prisoner of the state to its leader is captivating to say the least and his clear, concise recollections, simple language, and basic humanity as he faced insurmountable odds make for an enlightening and unforgettable read.
“A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness."
“While I did not normally give to African beggars, I felt the urge to give this woman money.
In that moment I realized the tricks that apartheid plays on one, for the everyday travails that afflict Africans are accepted as a matter of course, while my heart immediately went out to this bedraggled white woman.
In South Africa, to be poor and black was normal, to be poor and white was a tragedy.”
“A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones”