Mandela was born and grew up in South Africa. Throughout his childhood, he was taught African self-government and heritage, despite facing a white-governed South Africa. South Africa had an apartheid government, meaning black people did not have the same political and economic …show more content…
He sought to end poverty. In 2005, he gave a speech on poverty. “Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.” He believed if people worked together and helped each other, they could help one another avoid suffering from poverty. He had hopes and dreams for the future, and was determined to make them come true.
Mandela once said, “It makes me feel that I am a black man in a white man’s court. This should not be.” He recognized the inequality the blacks faced everyday. He stood to change that. In fact, he went to jail for 27 years. He tried to overthrow the apartheid government South Africa had. Unfortunately, it failed because he went to jail. However, that did not stop him from fighting for black equality. After he got out of jail, he assumed his position as president for the ANC and continued working to achieve human rights for a better future.
Nelson Mandela is a hero to his community, to South Africa, and to me. He inspired me to fight for what I believe in and to not give up. In a way, he and Korematsu are very alike. Korematsu felt strongly that he should be recognized as an American. Nelson Mandela stood to fight for black equality. Both men were heroes in their own way. Mandela was courageous, determined, and humble, all qualities I define as a