Podium Friday: Nelson Mandela

 “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”

From Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, 1994

As the obituaries around the world pay homage to a great leader, who was filled with dignity, quiet grace in suffering, and the unwavering belief that all are created equal, we as Canadians should remember and follow his example in our duty to society as everyday citizens.

For Mandela was not only a man who talked the talk, he was a man who fought for it, lived it, and suffered for his beliefs and desire to serve his fellow citizens and his country. A man dedicated to the highest ideal of public life: to defend the weak, to stand firm on principle, to protect equality and justice for all.

As Canadians, we pride ourselves on equality of opportunity, and comfort ourselves in the knowledge that our “universal” social services are among the best in the world.

As Canadians, we point to our role in the global community as peacemakers, exhibiting pride in our support and sending of soldiers to serve overseas in many a conflict.

As Canadians, we satisfy ourselves that we have done right by First Nations people, noting that we respect their inherent rights to self-government, and believing that we have done our duty as a country to apologize and provide reconciliation for the many wrongs of history.

But how do we really support our citizens? Our equality of opportunity and access to social services? Our support of soldiers both in the field and upon arrival home? Our veterans? Our First Nations? Have we fully engaged in our duties as everyday citizens?

Have we spoken for the weak, supported the weary in their fight, believed our own voices can make a difference to the apathy rampant among Canadians, the complacency that keeps us from saying we can and must do better?

Have we given more than lip service to our words that we will get involved, that we will be more than just angry, that we will do more?

Over the past week, I have been incredibly humbled and sobered by the challenges facing our Canadian soldiers.  It is time for I too, to become more than angry. It is time for I too, to reach out beyond talking and actively work to do more.

I ask each of you to consider your own tribute to the values and example set by Mandela. By following his example, we can work on changing the world.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” -  Mandela’s Address at Walter Sisulu’s 90th birthday celebrations, 2002.