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Kaplan Higher Education Essay

A Biography of Nelson Mandela :: Nelson Mandela Biography

A Biography of Nelson Mandela Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is judged to be one of the greatest political leaders of modern times. Among his many accomplishments are the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa and establishing democracy there and becoming the president of South Africa in 1994 following their first multiracial elections. Nelson was born as the foster son of a Thembu chief in Umtata (now the province of Eastern Cape) and raised in a traditional tribal culture within the grips of apartheid, a powerful system of black oppression that existed in South Africa. After years as a poor student and law clerk in Johannesburg, he assumed an important role in the African National Congress (ANC), a civil rights group. He also helped form the ANC Youth League in the 1950's. He was accused of treason in 1956 but was acquitted in 1961. From 1960-1962 Mandela led the NAC's para military wing known as Umkhonto we Sizwe which translate to "Spear of the Nation." He was arrested in August of 1962, sentenced to five years in prison and while incarcerated was again convicted of sabotage and treason and was sentenced to life imprisonment in june, 1964 at the famous Rivonia Trial. During his twenty-seven years in prison, Nelson Mandela became a symbol of resistance to the white-dominated country of South Africa throughout the world. After complex negotiation, Mandela was finally released from prison by President F.W. deKlerk in February, 1990, after lifting the long ban on the ANC. Mandela's release from prison marked the beginning of the end of apartheid in South Africa when he once again became the head of the ANC. He began the process to from a new constitution in South Africa which would allow political power to the black majority. Finally in 1991 the South African government repealed the laws that had upheld apartheid. In May, 1994 Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president after the country's first multiracial elections were held. His goal was to provide for economic and social growth for the black majority that had been oppressed for so long by the system of apartheid.

Crouching Orwell, Hidden Diddion (a Contrast Between the Authors)

Orwell and Didion, two distinguished authors that each had their own reasons for writing. Both Orwell and Didion each took time breaking down parts of their lives to give examples of the nature of their writing and how it developed through their lives. Some have taken it upon themselves to classify Orwell and Didion as similar. While it is true that they have some slight similarities, that's only to be expected of two individuals in the same profession. When you start to dig through their words it soon becomes overwhelming on just how different they are as both writers, authors, and people. Orwell had a lonely childhood. He however had a notion that he would be a writer. He even described it like it was an inescapable destiny. â€Å"I knew when I grew up I should be a writer†¦ I tried to abandon this idea, but I did so with the consciousness that I was outraging my true nature†¦ †. (90) This forever looming moment of self discovery stayed with him through his childhood through young adulthood where he later tried to rebel against his ever apparent nature. Orwell sensed that he had a power over words, learning to harness his gift as he toiled through the process of learning exactly what kind of writer he wanted to be. Orwell soon was ruling the literary power that he then strengthened with exercising his imagination. (91) Didion didn't seem to do these types of mental exercises until later. Giving Orwell a distinct advantage over the the world that she was finding herself breaking into. She didn't have Orwell's uncanny insight into what she was going to be. In fact from what she mentioned, she didn't have any insight into her own mind much less her driving ambition. Just the opposite of Orwell, instead of her controlling her imagination, Didion was experiencing the sensation of words and simple images having a power over her. (225) As they defined their styles, the differences only increased. Especially as Orwell gained his new political purpose infused writing style. â€Å"Using the word ‘political' in the widest possible sense. Desire to push the world in a certain direction. † This new element of his writing drew a iron line in the sand between himself and Didion. This is one of the most distinct contrasts in their writing. Didion's writing was for herself, about herself, to cope with herself. It was her passion and her sickness. She was the primary benefactor of her writings, It was a way to be able to sort things out in her head. (225) Orwell wrote for entirely different reasons. He didn't write for himself through artistic pursuit alone. He instead started to imprint his writings with purpose and meaning, to get his own ideas into the heads of others. Orwell wanted to change their minds on subjects he felt passionate about. This was the core of his writing, to write for others; to influence others. He wanted to make an impact on their thoughts and their views; To change them and subsequently change the world around him. Didion in her essay never referenced Orwell besides an opening statement about ‘stealing' the title of said essay from him. She didn't point out any similarities between them at all, how could she? They had nothing in common except for both of them being writers. Orwell's reasons for writing is driven, fueled and dragged with two primary concepts that he listed: Political Purpose and Aesthetic enthusiasm. Orwell's dream and goal is to make political writing into an art. Didion's reasons were self discovery to formulate her thoughts and to get out the images she see's in her head. This was not a want for her, it is a need. She needs her writing to figure out her own fears, wants, likes, dislikes She sights the reason behind this was not having access to her own mind, as if writing was a key to open the door. For if she had a clear mental pathway â€Å"There would have been no reason to write. † (225) In conclusion Orwell and Didion have been different from the beginning to the end. They have different approaches to their writing, different reasons and different outcomes. I feel almost as if they are opposites rather then reflections of one another. As my eyes scan the essays both of them have written I do not find myself thinking back to the others writing. I'm lost in each picture that they paint of themselves and the world. One is in red, the other in blue, they are both colors, but are nothing alike. They sound different, feel different, portray themselves and their basis-es and reasons differently. They are in one word: different.

Analysis Of Sonny s Blues - 1510 Words

The concept of home is considered as having a sense of belonging, it is considered to be a result of estrangement accomplished by the colonization, in which consequently they are made to appropriate and integrate into the culture. The concept of home is a preconceived notion hat was created by the stereotypical views that have been placed on by society. History teaches us that home consists of a married heterosexual couple that has a son, daughter, a dog and a white picket fence. The husband is the bread winner while the wife stays at home and tends to the children, children who are vigorously socially and academically involved. In â€Å"The Two Offers† by Frances E. W Harper, her character Laura Lagrange who has to decide on if the married†¦show more content†¦Marriage is a signification that one’s commitment to another will last a life time, it is in that life time that the consideration of creating a legacy begins. Laura Lagrange, the protagonist in Francis Harper’s short story â€Å"The Two Offers†, has to make a decision between two men who have asked for her hand in marriage. â€Å"But to tell you the truth, I do not think that I regard either as a woman should the man she chooses for her husband. But then is I refuse, there is the risk of being an old maid, and that is not to be thought of† (462). Like any other marriage Laura wanted a family, family is the construction of any home, family is a product of unconditional love. Her cousin Janette Alston ends up being labeled as an old maid because she never marries. In my opinion Laura settles for a man to marry because she refuses to be like Janette. In my opinion I think that Janette desired to fulfill her interpretation of family, she desired to create a home for her family. She lost her child but desired to press on and try again but it is hard to accomplish something you so desperately want, when the person that you need to help you achieve that goal has abso lutely no regard for you wellbeing. â€Å"For a brief period after her marriage her life seemed like a bright and beautiful dream, full of hope and radiant with joy. And then here came a change he found other attractions that lay beyond the pale home