There are many definitions of peace, but my favorite by far is “freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions” (Newman). An example of an individual who gained peace, not only for himself, but for many others, is Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela grew up in the Madiba clan in the village of Mvezo in the Eastern Cape (Biography of Nelson Mandela). Mandela experienced many ups and downs throughout his time as a young adult, but he did not let this stop him from approaching his dreams. He began his political journey in 1944 when he joined the African National Congress and helped to form the ANC Youth League (Biography of Nelson Mandela).
Nelson Mandela is most famous for demonstrating the South African government was not reflective of their people. In 1952 he helped to hold a protest for this injustice. Shortly after this protest, “he and 19 others were charged under the Suppression of Communism Act” (Biography of Nelson Mandela). They were all sentenced to 9 months of hard labor and two years of suspension. Once Mandela was released, he wrote a request for a non-racial constitution to Prime Minister Verwoerd. He told the prime minister that if he didn’t agree, there would be a strike against South Africa. He then set up a strike operation and left South Africa to receive military training. His desertion led to him being captured and charged with a 5-year sentence for leaving the country without a permit and leading a strike. Mandela was treated horrible in jail and he even developed tuberculosis. His sentence ended a little bit after he had to receive treatment for his health condition (Biography of Nelson Mandela).
Mandela is so famous because he kept fighting for what he believed in, regardless of the consequence. Closer to the end of his life, he ended white minority rule and became president (Biography of Nelson Mandela). He kept working against the oppression and never gave up. Mandela is the gold standard for an individual who never stopped working for peace.
Peace is “freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions” (Newman).
“Biography of Nelson Mandela.” Nelson Mandela Foundation, 29 Oct. 2014, https://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/biography.
Newman. “Peace.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peace.
