Nelson Mandela… when I heard this name, automatically I remember about ‘Apartheid’. He is the one who went against the system that discriminates the black Africans. Apartheid is a situation where a minority race controls the majority race and these majorities they have to live under the influence of minorities. When, I read his autobiography of “Long Walk to Freedom” makes me realize that black prisoners were mistreated in the prison during those days of apartheid. I found out in Wikipedia that he spent 27 years in prison, much of it on Robben Island, on convictions for crimes that included sabotage committed while he spearheaded the struggle against apartheid. He became a symbol of freedom and equality. In this island, prisoners were segregated by race, with black prisoners receiving the fewest rations. Political prisoners were kept separate from ordinary criminals and received fewer privileges. He wrote his life journey in a secret way. Another legend who come to my mind is Mahatma Gandhi, he is well-known for his the philosophy of non-violence and for facing adversity with dignity. Although, he suffered in the prison at last he managed to win over his dream against apartheid. He becomes the first President of Africa. Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Even, in Africa the apartheid no longer in practice, but unfortunately classifying people according to their colour or origins do exist. If we take look at current situation, not only black people are being deprived of their rights but people with fairer skin colour also share the same fate. Muslims are being regarded as terrorists and Asians are viewed as ‘coloured’ and are treated as second class citizens in their own country. Such is the destiny of most of us...When will this situation change?
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