Heroes - Lives to Learn From
April
Forgiveness Graciousness & Courtesy Gentleness &Humility
April
Forgiveness Graciousness & Courtesy Gentleness &Humility
Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
The first black President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela had led the struggle to end apartheid in white-dominated South Africa. After years of activism and armed resistance to the white Afrikaner regime, Mandela was imprisoned. He spent 27 years behind bars (1963-1990) but time and justice were ultimately on his side. Released in 1990, he continued to lead negotiations for a multi-racial democracy, and eventually won the presidency. He was distinguished by his refusal to hate and his insistence on human dignity, reconciliation and "the politics of forgiveness."
Mandela led by example, building an unlikely friendship with his jailer. The story of his relationship with his prison guard of nearly three decades is a prime example of forgiveness in action. So too were his many national policies that encouraged forgiveness and reconciliation. He warned those who nurtured justifiable resentment that "resentment is like drinking poison, and hoping it will kill your enemies." The 2009 film Invictus popularized the true story of Mandela’s efforts to promote reconciliation through rugby. Here are some fine children’s treatments and one outstanding adult volume.
The first black President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela had led the struggle to end apartheid in white-dominated South Africa. After years of activism and armed resistance to the white Afrikaner regime, Mandela was imprisoned. He spent 27 years behind bars (1963-1990) but time and justice were ultimately on his side. Released in 1990, he continued to lead negotiations for a multi-racial democracy, and eventually won the presidency. He was distinguished by his refusal to hate and his insistence on human dignity, reconciliation and "the politics of forgiveness."
Mandela led by example, building an unlikely friendship with his jailer. The story of his relationship with his prison guard of nearly three decades is a prime example of forgiveness in action. So too were his many national policies that encouraged forgiveness and reconciliation. He warned those who nurtured justifiable resentment that "resentment is like drinking poison, and hoping it will kill your enemies." The 2009 film Invictus popularized the true story of Mandela’s efforts to promote reconciliation through rugby. Here are some fine children’s treatments and one outstanding adult volume.
Nelson Mandela. (Rookie Biographies) Karima Grant.
Scholastic, 2005. (K-3)
A fine introduction and overview for young children.
Scholastic, 2005. (K-3)
A fine introduction and overview for young children.
Nelson Mandela. Long Walk to Freedom. Abridged by Chris Van Wyk.
Illustrated by Paddy Bouma. Flash Point, 2009. (2-4)
This is an abridged and simplified picture book version of Mandela’s own autobiography by the same name. Its length (64 pages) makes it appropriate for second graders and older.
Illustrated by Paddy Bouma. Flash Point, 2009. (2-4)
This is an abridged and simplified picture book version of Mandela’s own autobiography by the same name. Its length (64 pages) makes it appropriate for second graders and older.
“Nelson Mandela,” in Character is Destiny. John McCain with Mark Salter.
Random House, 2005, pp. 168-175. (Forgiveness, 5-6)
This compelling short biography of Nelson Mandela chronicles the unlikely friendship of James Gregory, South African jailer and his prisoner, Mandela. Here is the moving story of “the prisoner who forgave his jailer and helped his countrymen forgive one another.” Because of potentially disturbing descriptions of prisoner abuse, this story is recommended for middle school and up.
Random House, 2005, pp. 168-175. (Forgiveness, 5-6)
This compelling short biography of Nelson Mandela chronicles the unlikely friendship of James Gregory, South African jailer and his prisoner, Mandela. Here is the moving story of “the prisoner who forgave his jailer and helped his countrymen forgive one another.” Because of potentially disturbing descriptions of prisoner abuse, this story is recommended for middle school and up.
Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation.
John Carlin. Penguin Press, 2008. (Strong middle school readers and up).
This book is the riveting non-fiction account that inspired the 2009 movie Invictus(starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as the Springbok rugby coach). Strong middle and high school readers (and their teachers) will find this compelling story both inspirational and instructive. Not only is Mandela able to forgive his jailers, but he is able to transform hatred and antagonism into a source of national unity.
John Carlin. Penguin Press, 2008. (Strong middle school readers and up).
This book is the riveting non-fiction account that inspired the 2009 movie Invictus(starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as the Springbok rugby coach). Strong middle and high school readers (and their teachers) will find this compelling story both inspirational and instructive. Not only is Mandela able to forgive his jailers, but he is able to transform hatred and antagonism into a source of national unity.