REFLECTION TASK 3 

 

       If I were a jury member of the committee choosing the person of the year, I would choose Nelson Mandela who was a South African anti-apartheid, which means racial segregation, revolutionary, politician, activist, lawyer, and philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. There are lots of reasons of that. First and foremost, he was willing to sacrifice his freedom, his dignity the safety of his family and every earthly possession to prove to the world the sufferings and in dignity suffered by those subjected to apartheid.  His courageous, selfless actions brought knowledge to many who were unaware of the power struggle in South Africa and the huge human toll that it took. The strongest characteristic of Nelson Mandela would be defiance.  I think that his activist stance against Apartheid policies demonstrates this. Nelson Mandela was also an astounding human being willing to sacrifice everything to do the apartheid in South Africa.  Mandela was also a rare visionary who would see beyond the current struggles and pain. He was convinced that one day the best parts of humanity would prevail over the worst parts. He even inspired his enemies to be better than they had been through forgiveness and reconciliation. Because of his being black person, he dedicated himself to fight against racism. Instinctively, Mandela knew skin color was cosmetic. He knew men and women were equal.  He knew skin color was evidence of race, not character, which is the biggest reason why I think that Nelson Mandela who died in the last month of 2013 deserves being chosen the person of the year.