Invictus

This trip I am headed to Africa once again. First stop is Oostend, Belgium then down south to Lagos, Nigeria and Kinshasa, DRC for a short over night (I'm looking forward to that – the short part) before we get to Nairobi, Kenya.

Africa is a fantastic continent with so much promise; and thats the problem, so much promise. Americans have often been criticized for expecting everyone in the world to think like we think. I for one am glad that not everyone thinks like me. South Africa is a perfect example. If I had gone thru apartheid, I would have become a terrorist/freedom fighter. I don't know that I could have forgiven that repressive regime. And even now when I hear a white South African talk about how their country is worst now than during those years apart; I can only think, 'you reap what you sow'. Why didn't South Africa foreshadow Zimbabwe? The leadership of Nelson Mandela, is the short answer. When given the chance for revenge he and his country saw past blind justice and chose a forgiving peace.

How many times in human history has an oppressed majority come to power only to share peace with their former masters? How many times have we seen reconciliation committees instead of retribution tribunals? South Africa is a singular story, and this history unfolded on a continent most Americans write off as hopeless. Maybe, there are still things we can learn, from beyond our shores.

Sometimes we forget that both sides of the coin are required to pay the ferryman. Warrior and peace-maker are of equal importance. Teancum and the people of Ammon.

Invictus is an amazing movie highlighting one of the truly deserving recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Mandela.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley