Oh, Freedom!
Freedom is coming!
Oh, Freedom!
Freedom is coming!
Oh, Freedom!
Freedom is coming!
Oh, yes I know!
Oh, yes I know!
Oh, yes I know!
These were the lyrics from a South African freedom song against Apartheid that we sang at Westark Community College my Freshman year in 1991. For those of you who know it, you can sing along. However, for those of you who don't, you may think, "What boring lyrics." But it's really a good song!
The reason that I am singing this song is two-fold. First, because yesterday marked the 14th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from the Robben Island jail after 27 years of incarceration. Second, because I just took what is quite possibly my last college exam. I have officially finished my written comprehensive exams. So, I am feeling rather connected in a metaphorical sense to the great Mandela. After about 23 years of academic "incarceration," I see hope around the corner. This is only the first hurdle I have to jump before I am free. I still have to find out if I passed my written exams. I have to defend my answers and review my program in my oral comprehensive exam. And don't even mention the dissertation. But I see a very faint light at the end of this very long tunnel. I don't mean to trivialize the struggle that Mandela went through. I know my circumstances are unfathomably different from Mandela's. But I believe his struggle should serve as an inspiration to everyone. When you have faith in yourself and your ideals and a lot of support from family and friends, you can achieve your goals.
I am seeing great meaning in the following quote from Nelson Mandela at this point in my life:
"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended."
Nelson Mandela inside his prison cell.
(In this picture, I like to imagine that the door is about to open, and he is going to walk out and breathe free air!)
Geez... after that story maybe I don't want to go back to school! I like my freedom way tooo much. ;) In any case, congrats for making it this far. It has to feel pretty good. :)
Posted by: A.J. | February 13, 2004 at 07:25 AM
OK, I was worried that this entry would make college the academic experience seem pretty bad. But the truth is that I had some freedoms that I didn't have in the workforce and vice versa. I have had a great time in school, but now its time for something different. Nelson Mandela's experience is not analagous to mine in the slightest, but I do see him as a great inspiration.
Posted by: Greg | February 13, 2004 at 04:20 PM
CONGRATULATIONS! That's awesome!! I am like AJ, I don't know if I could go back to school after reading about that- and looking at Mandela in the prison cell.... I like freedom and running water too much.... But hey, that's the price ya pay for something you believe in, right Nelson? ;-)
Posted by: Kristi | February 18, 2004 at 05:40 PM
Yeah, that's right! Thanks for the congrats, but it ain't over yet!
Posted by: Greg | February 19, 2004 at 11:49 AM
POST A NEW ENTRY ALREADY!!!!!!!!!! ;)
Posted by: AJ | August 07, 2004 at 01:16 PM