Memorialization

What is the human need to idolize? I myself admire Mandela, King Jr., Suzeman, and even members of my own family. People should be admired and honored for heroic actions. Yet, I feel that “worship” of any individual can be dehumanizing and dangerous.

The same aforementioned leaders are human. Certainly, their disciplined dedication to noble ideals is admirable. In times of despair it is fair to look towards others for inspiration. But I must plead that it is courage, determination, justice, and all other things that these heroes stand for that remain more important than the heroes themselves.

When ideas become more important than symbols, in my humble opinion, critical thinking is able to overcome easier human tendencies such as grief and worship.

Today we had the opportunity of listening to Hector Peiterson’s sister, Antoinette. As a side note, one of my brilliant co-students later remarked that she wondered if we would have been as entranced by Antoinette’s opinion, had we not known who she was. Anyway, she was adamant in proclaiming that while her brother was part of a heroic cause, he was not the only student that died in the struggle to end the injustice of Apartheid. The other day while walking through the Apartheid Museum, I also recall one of the teacher’s asking her students if all of Mandela’s policies were followed…if they were all right. The answer was initially yes from the students. The teacher then went on to explain that the correct answer was no. Mandela was human. The same thing can be said about MLK Jr., who many have reported adulterated.

Again, this is not to say that what these individuals stood for was not important. What is truly admirable is the hero’s ability to, in spite of human flaws, stand courageously for what is right.

I say thank you to Hector, King Jr., Mandela, Robinson, Suzeman, knowing that they are not perfect—knowing that they are heroes because what they stand for is never to be forgotten. I pray that I forever use my heroes, and their memorials, to serve for inspiration in the continued quest for truth and justice—not to justify complacency and worship towards what has already been achieved.