Required Resources: No Specific Resources Are Needed
Required Resourcesno Specific Resources Are Required For This Activity
For this assignment, you will select a person who had a significant influence—positive or negative—on a movement for social, economic, and/or political change in the 20th or 21st century. Your research will involve summarizing their ideas, discussing how these ideas or changes affected the establishment and maintained or challenged the status quo, exploring the context in which these ideas or changes were proposed, analyzing responses from the government and the public, identifying the support or following the individual had, and examining how their ideas and actions continue to influence contemporary cultures and ideas.
In your initial submission, state the chosen person or topic. For this issue, identify at least three aspects of the person's influence or ideas that you plan to develop in your presentation. Briefly explain why you selected each aspect. While you are not limited to only these three aspects, and may add or substitute others as your research progresses, you must develop at least three in your presentation. Your response should be 1-2 paragraphs, written in APA format, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, using 12-point Times New Roman font. Include a title page and a references page if applicable.
Paper For Above instruction
The chosen figure for this research project is Nelson Mandela, a pivotal leader whose influence significantly shaped social and political change in the 20th century. Mandela’s ideas centered around equity, reconciliation, and anti-apartheid activism, challenging deeply entrenched racial segregation policies in South Africa. His advocacy for dismantling apartheid and fostering racial harmony inspired widespread support domestically and internationally, leading to profound shifts in government policy and societal attitudes. The context of Mandela’s activism was marked by systemic racial oppression, where the apartheid regime enforced strict racial divisions, sparking resistance from oppressed communities and allies around the world. His leadership responded to this environment by uniting diverse groups under a common goal of racial justice, using both peaceful protests and revolutionary tactics.
In my presentation, I will focus on three key aspects of Mandela’s influence: first, his role in mobilizing resistance and uniting diverse racial groups within South Africa; second, his emphasis on reconciliation and forgiveness, which was pivotal in transitioning South Africa towards democracy; and third, the enduring global legacy of his anti-apartheid activism, reflected in contemporary discussions on justice and reconciliation. These aspects were chosen because they highlight Mandela’s strategic approach to change—combining pragmatism with moral conviction—and their lasting impact on social justice movements worldwide. Understanding these facets will demonstrate how Mandela’s ideas continue to inspire efforts towards racial equality and conflict resolution today, making his legacy relevant in contemporary culture and politics.
References
- Carlin, J. (2008). Playing the enemy: Nelson Mandela and the game that made a nation. Henry Holt and Company.
- Gordon, L. (2011). Nelson Mandela: A biography. Oxford University Press.
- Mandela, N. (1995). Long walk to freedom: The autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Little, Brown and Company.
- Sparks, A. (1994). Tomorrow is another country: The autobiography of an American rebel. Harvard University Press.
- Thompson, L. (2013). Nelson Mandela: A biography. Routledge.
- South African History Online. (2020). Nelson Mandela. https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/nelson-mandela
- Archibald, R. (2003). Nelson Mandela’s legacy in South Africa. Journal of African History, 44(2), 155-168.
- Brown, K. (2014). Leadership and reconciliation: The case of Nelson Mandela. Leadership Quarterly, 25(2), 283-297.
- Booysen, S. (2007). The anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. Polity Press.
- Meredith, M. (2010). Nelson Mandela: A biography. Little, Brown Publishers.