Who inspires you to care about human rights?

On 8 December 2011, I received an email from Amnesty International USA - an email sent to all supporters - with these words in the subject: who inspires you? It is interesting to mention that on 18 July 2010, I asked the same question: who inspires you?

The email from Amnesty International USA was about "human rights awakening." It was a call for action for human rights advocates and supporters to publicly recognize the person who inspired them to "rise up, speak out and defend basic rights."

The email stated that your human rights hero could be a human rights defender, a parent, a coworker, a Facebook friend, high school teacher, icons like Martin Luther King Jr., Aung San Suu Kyi, Desmond Tutu, just to name a few, or ANYONE who inspired you to care about human rights.

Readers of this blog probably already know who my hero is.

His name is Nelson Mandela.

I have previously written a few lines about this "last pure hero" and his extraordinary work to uphold human rights and a "free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities." Nelson Mandela championed the fight against apartheid in South Africa and went on to become South Africa's first democratically elected president. He paid a high price for freedom in South Africa.

After becoming president, Madiba, as he is fondly called, did not cling to power either through intimidation or rigged elections like most African leaders do, neither did he clamp down on those who mistreated and condemned him to 27 "dark years" in prison.

He received the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

In 2009, the United Nations declared 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day - in honor of the icon.

A lot has already been written about this great man. There are many books that aptly tell his story, including the following:

• Conversations with Myself, by Nelson Mandela (with foreword by Barack Obama) .
• Mandela's Way: Lessons on Life, by Richard Stengel.
• Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, by Nelson Mandela.

Who inspires you?

It is your turn to name the person who inspired you to care about human rights. Enter the name of the person who inspires you as requested by Amnesty International USA. You could win a prize - if you live in the U.S. If you do not live in the U.S., I guess you could still participate and help build the hero wall.

It is interesting to look at the wall and see who inspires people to care about human rights.

*Photo of Nelson Mandela: jokeroo.

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Nelson Mandela International Day 2010: Who inspires you?

July 18 is Nelson Mandela International Day. On this day, 92 years ago, a man was born in a forgotten part of the world; a man with the right DNA and skills needed to liberate South Africans from unspeakable racial discrimination and oppression by a white minority aparthied regime. On this day, people of conscience worldwide pause to celebrate the birthday of this living legend: Nelson Mandela. Are you a person of conscience? Who inspires you?

Nelson Mandela was a political prisoner for 27 years, imprisoned for his role in the anti-aparthied campaign. After he was released from prison in 1990, he went on to become South Africa's first democratically elected President. Contrary to what many expected, President Mandela preached reconciliation between black South Africans and their former oppressors. After his first term in office, he once a gain silenced his critics by stepping down - setting the course for a democratic South Africa.

To honor Mandela's enormous contribution to world peace, democracy and freedom for all, in 2009, the UN General Assembly adopted a text declaring 18 July - Nelson Mandela International Day, in a bid to "make peace a way of life for people around the world." This is the case because Nelson Mandela, former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate is a symbol of peace, democracy and freedom.

As you celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day, I hope he inspires you to promote peace, human rights, freedom and equality for all.

I found the following video very inspiring. WATCH...



Permit me to leave you with the words of this historic figure - Nelson Mandela - in his final testimony in the 1964 trial that sent him to prison for life:  

"I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

Make everyday a Mandela Day!

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