I wanted to do a fast sketch of him to honor him, but I just don't have time before work. The quote is particularly significant in my life right now in light of some of the things I have seen and heard in the recent past. Ignorance is the root of hatred...and it goes both ways. We need to start and keep a dialogue about these things...
I think this photo and what you wrote is a greater tribute than drawing a picture of Nelson Mandela. There are artists all over Facebook quickly drawing and painting portraits of him... but I can't help wondering if they're doing it to honor the man, or if their doing it to draw attention to themselves and possibly make a sale. If that were the case, I don't think they really understand what Nelson Mandela stood for at all. You're very right about the opening up of honest dialogue regarding prejudices and tolerance. It is a far deeper issue than many will allow.
ReplyDeleteThank you Katherine. This is what went through my mind when I thought about doing a drawing or a sketch of Mandela. It might seem self serving to do something now...if I posted a drawng that I've already done it would be more appropriate. I did a drawing of Winnie Mandela years ago but never Nelson. So it could appear disingenuous to suddenly come up with a drawing. Not to say everyone that did portraits are that way. I'm sure many want to pay tribute to him. So it really isn't about us or what we have done. It's about the man and what he has done...
DeleteCoincidentally my daughter Grace and I had some discussion about this topic on the drive back from the Ducks game two weeks ago. She had talked about dialogue and how complex the issue really is. So I give her credit for that statement.
I'm not in a position to speak publicly about specifics of certain things, but I will say that I found myself wondering what year I was living in lately. People say things without understanding the gravity of their words. This "get over it" attittude people have about things is not healthy.
I came up with an analogy. Suppose you had a close relative injured or killed by a drunk driver. Then imagine occasionally having to dodge out of the way of other drunk drivers. Then imagine someone making a joke about drivng drunk. When the person see's your reaction they say "Get over it", it's just a joke.
This quote was one that struck home for me, too, Kevin. Thanks for sharing it and for the photo.
ReplyDeleteWhether you draw Mr. Mandela or not, you have already honored him by this post. I also think I heard a quote of his about hatred being learned so we can learn kindness.
As long as the big picture remains the big picture, prejudices of all kinds will be learned and will grow. One-on-one dialogues and getting to actually know people we fear or don't like because we have learned that behavior from parents, grandparents, peers, the news media, etc. will be the way. Of course, Mr. Mandela had a very personal experience in prison and I would not wish that on anyone, but it reminded me of those Tibetan monks imprisoned in China - beaten, starved, treated like animals. When they are finally free, they say they spent most of their time praying for their captors. I don't know what it would be like to have that much compassion and wisdom and strength!
RH, from what I know of you, you DO have that much compassion and wisdom and strength within you. It's interesting because I think most people have the same attributes within them. It comes down to having a choice to repond in kind, or to rise above it and thrive. And we aren't encouraged to do this enough. There are times to fight back, don't get me wrong, but eventually a more intelligent solution has to be realized. The puny brains of our species have a hard time understanding how to do this.
DeleteBelieve me, I have a neanderthal reaction to life more often than I'd like to admit. Thanks for your comment...I'm really enjoying this.
I had heard a very similar quote long ago and just learned (just now through your blog) that it is attributed to Mandela. I should have known that! These words have helped me a number of times when I was feeling angry. What a great man--! There is no one else like him. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Celeste. I am thankful to have such intellingent insightful people reading my blog. When I saw the quote, I wondered if it hadn't already been said at least in some form or another.. I'm sure there are similar analogies. According to the website, this one is attributed to Nelson Mandela. So if I am incorrect, I blame them.
Delete"It's on the internet, it has to be right!"
Anyway, I will be the first to admit I don't always live by those words, but I am trying. I remember a long time ago I worked with someone (we'll call him Ted) who had an anger problem. "Ted" would curse and throw things and make a lot of noise. One time something went wrong and I "playfully" mocked "Teds" reaction by cursing and throwing something. Then as if by design my buddy and co-worker turned to Ted and said "Now you see how much of an idiot you look like when you do that?" This didn't stop Ted from doing it again, but it stuck with me, because when things are going bad you eventually have to deal with them in a positive way. The key is not holding on to anger and/or resentment. And when you think about what Nelson Mandela went through, you can "see how much of an idiot you look like when you do that".