Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished. -Nelson Mandela

 
i gasped audibly just now when i read the news banner as i logged into yahoo email. 

not sure what Mr. Mandels'a sense of humor was, although i am certain he must have had a strong one to endure the brutality and suffering he did, but my first thought was the face of the cinematically ubiquitous morgan freeman.  

second thought was of an anti-aparthied student protest on ut's west mall spring of 1986.  we were all yelling "divest now" as people assembled around a shanty that had been erected and moved near the tower.  students wanted the university to withdraw all investments from south african companies and end restrictions on free speech.  along w many other students, our friend richard lynch who was one of the more frenzied protesters, was carted off in a campus police wagon and held for questioning.   i am nearly certain richard is also thinking of that day just now.

excerpt from

http://www.campusactivism.org/server-new/uploads/CHAPTER_7.pdf

...on April 11, the 42 arrested the previous week marched up to the area of the West

Mall in front of the Student Union carrying a banner (which denounced apartheid) and

sporting gags to symbolize the denial of free speech. As people began to gather, the

previous arrestees were gradually replaced by 42 more demonstrators who were thereby

expressing their willingness to commit civil disobedience. There were over a thousand

people participating by the time the protesters marched to the West Mall stairs. This

time, there were three demands: that UT divest, for free speech on the campus, and that

all charges be dropped against the 42. 

When the demonstrators reached the West Mall stairs, the crowd filled up the

mall. They held up the banner, spoke, and yelled for UT to get out of South Africa. Two

lines of Austin police and UT police lined up to the north of the mall; the fear of a violent

confrontation was pervasive. The police began to arrest the speakers and leaders. As

they were arrested, more people would take their places. This continued until 182 people

had been arrested...

Nelson Mandela died today.  incredible human.  incredible life.  incredible legacy.  he was 95.