LAST IMAGE FOR 2006...FEATURING BEETHOVEN, MARLEY, AND MANDELA!!

Why would I end my 2006 Fulbright exchange experience with a photograph like this on my blog? Read this posting to the end and you'll learn the answer to that question. The photo is from a large studio located near the amphitheatre in Cape Town. The vibrant colors reflect magnificent weaving accomplished by local black women who sell their art to (wealthy) tourists. We were tourists who could not afford their work (yes, we're not wealthy). The manager of the craftshop liked to challenge potential customers with an identity quiz on these three world-famous persons. I guessed them all with only a bit of hesitation on the fellow in the background. He's Ludwig van Beethoven, of course. The fellow in the center is a favorite of my daughter, Erin--that would be reggae-maestro, Bob Marley. I still have difficulty in understanding his legacy in terms of music (perhaps his real legacy pertains to what they call "dagga" in South Africa = marijuana). The question arises, for me at least: will Marley have the lasting appeal of a Beethoven? I think not, but what the heck do I know about music...or folks that are attracted to him?
The closest weaving featured in the photograph is none other than Nelson R. Mandela...better known as "Madiba" in South Africa. The title refers to his leadership of his particular clan, but just about every person in S.A. and beyond recognizes it as a title of leadership for the nation. I chose this photograph to close out my blog for 2006 because it features Mandela. One of my goals while in South Africa was to somehow meet him...if successful, then receiving permission to have some Norkem Park H.S. learners along-- for the chance of a lifetime. We came close, but it just wasn't to be.
My eighth-graders won a national writing contest sponsored by The Nelson Mandela Foundation. They won a computer for the school and some of them were given a wonderful memento--a cap from the foundation. The award gave me, and our assistant principal, Mr. Thomas Tervit, a chance to ask foundation officials if we could acquire a quote on peace from Mandela for our Peace Wall-Garden area in the school. Eventually, we received the quote and it will be incorporated on the wall, alongside the quotes by Dr. M.L.King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi. Three down, one to go: We're expecting a peace quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. With my "foot in the door" at the Mandela Foundation, I also (boldly) asked them if I, along with several of our kids, could meet Mandela. Despite several requests, I never did receive an answer. Close, but so far...
With all of this in mind, I shall end this blog and this entry with a quote from Nelson Mandela. The quote is taken from his presidential inaugural address, 10 May 1994. It is well-known by South Africans of every ethnic persuasion/color. It is only ONE of the reasons why Mandela is, and always will be, a hero of mine. The quote:

"Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must
be born a society which all humanity will be proud...Never, never, and never again
shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another."

WITH THAT SAID, I'M GOING TO ONCE AGAIN TRY TO LEAVE THE BLOG WITH THIS ENTRY OPEN FOR COMMENTS. THIS TRUST HAS BEEN BROKEN MANY TIMES WITH NASTY PERSONAL ATTACKS ON ME, JOHN DAVIDEK, BY INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN TRY TO DEMEAN ME. IF YOU DON'T HAVE SOMETHING POSITIVE TO SAY, THEN PLEASE DO NOT DEPOSIT YOUR TRASH IN THE COMMENT SECTION. AGAIN, IF YOU DO, I WILL SIMPLY ELIMINATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE TO RESPOND. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT IF YOU LEAVE NEGATIVE COMMENTS THEY, ALONG WITH THE GOOD ONES, WILL BE IMMEDIATELY ELIMINATED...