Rep. Reginald Meeks: On the Journey of Madiva

On The Journey of Madiva Nelson Mandela…

Many will know you from his story books. Others from the news, with all its peculiarities. Still more from what they have heard, or stories yet told.

For those of us privileged to have lived as you lived, we will remember you… remember as you non-violently faced  the ugly face of unspeakable inhumanity…remember you tried using the law to challenge an immoral system repressing just us. And when you picked up your spear, our people faced gas, guns and tanks; standing up as they fell down.

From across oceans of blood, and mountains of diamonds and dollars we heard your song, Madiva.

We heard the echoes from all those cells, on and off the island. We listened, learned and witnessed the transformative power of dying for a cause; and not just because…   Oh, but if these young brothers would hear you today!

We celebrate your walk on this side.  They rolled away the stone that was your prison door and we witnessed you walk among the people as if on air.

We heard your voice and saw the workings of your mind as a nation transformed itself when seen in the light of your mirror.  You challenged, and you changed; now its on us to do the same.

Bless you for being a blessing to us all. Meegwetch.