History Is In Our Hands

Ghandi once said the following:

A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”

While any potential confirmation to the Supreme Court is potentially history making, the potential confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh will forever mark America for generations to come.

Will we be a country that recognizes the accomplishments and humanity of women, and finally put to bed once and for all the idea that women are somehow beneath men? Will we live up to the progressive ideals that is part and parcel of our image as a country that not only respects it’s citizens (regardless of sex), but also gives them opportunities to thrive?

Or, will be go back to the days when women were second class citizens, deprived of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, especially if that goes against what is considered “proper” for a female?

History is in our hands. We have the opportunity (and the vote next month) to confirm if we are willing to do the hard work to move forward, or if we are content to live in the past?

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On Martin Luther King Jr Day

If you will it, it is no dream; and if you do not will it, a dream it is and a dream it will stay-Theodore Herzl

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Like his predecessor, Mahatma Gandhi, he saw what could be a better world. He also saw the injustice and prejudice that was holding back that world.

He could have done nothing. It would have been far easier sit back, and take it. But he chose to speak out, march and be the voice for the disenfranchised African-American community. While his life was cut short far too soon, his legacy will live on.

The main lesson that I take away from him is that instead of throwing your hands up in the face of injustice and simply taking it, we should be speaking out. We should be making our voices heard in favor of those who cannot speak for themselves.

In spite of the hardship and the difficulties that lay ahead, Martin Luther King Jr. was willing to make the sacrifice for a better world.

Perhaps we should take a lesson from his playbook and do the same.

 

 

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom- A Walk That Must Be Taken

Last night, I saw Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.

The late Nelson Mandela is an icon. Next to Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Mandela, represents the change many wish they could enact in the world, but few are willing to take the steps to make it happen.

The movie starts with brief clips of his childhood. As an adult, Nelson Mandela (Idris Elba) is a lawyer, trying to defend his clients in  a country where the native blacks are second class and the whites have all of the power.  He is initially hesitant to join the African National Congress, but circumstances change his mind. After he is charged with treason and thrown into jail for 27 years, his second wife, Winnie (Naomie Harris) is forced to raise their daughters by herself and deal with the constant assault by the police.

I will warn that the movie is long, it clocks in at 2 hours and 20 minutes. But the time is needed to tell this man’s story.

Elba completely transforms himself into Mandela. It’s as if he was born to play this character. Harris, as Winnie Mandela is also perfectly cast. Her transformation from being just an ordinary wife and mother to becoming a revolutionary in her own right is incredible. I wouldn’t be surprised, that when award season comes, the movie, as well as Elba and Harris receive numerous nominations and awards.

I highly recommend it.