This Wednesday is the 5th year anniversary of the death of Nelson Mandela. I was fortunate to ask John Carlin, author of the incredibly engaging graphic novel out now, Mandela and the General, the true story of two very different men who sought to put aside their differences for the good of their country, about Nelson Mandela as the world remembers “Madiba”*
Alex Yarde (AY): Mandela and the General was such a surprisingly timely story about a nation that’s deeply divided by racism and inequality. What are the lessons that can be drawn from how we can have “Truth and Reconciliation” here in the United States?
John Carlin (JC): Yes, I agree. It is timely for the US and for the world at large. The chief lesson from Mandela is that however hard it may be – and it can be no harder than it was for him – to treat your opponents with respect. This does not only mean to smile and them and shake their hand but, far more tangible, to make a visible effort to understand them, to get into their shoes, the better to be able to address their fears and aspirations and thus meet them halfway. That is the starting point for reconciliation.
AY: In elections all over the world, it looks like conservative “strong men” that appeal to strong nationalistic and xenophobic messages are winning. Nelson Mandela was a leader with unquestionable strength and resolve. But also showed compassion and tolerance. What can we do to reverse this global trend?
JC: Begin by applying the above lesson. Then be optimistic, as Mandela was, and trust that you will be able to appeal to the better angels of people’s natures. But always being hard-nosed about sticking to your principles.
AY: We all saw the horrific pictures of women and children teargassed.
What do you think would Mandela’s message to the Trump Administration would be over the migrant caravan and his militarization of our southern border with Mexico?
JC: I am not sure it’s printable! It would be, I think, to get real, to cut out the phoniness and the demagoguery.
Mandela had a tremendous ability to see things in their proper proportion and to see what was possible and what was not in politics.
He’d say, Find a solution based not on an appeal to people’s base instincts but on what works best for all concerned. While never forgetting to show people compassion and respect.
AY: Why is Nelson Mandela’s message so important for the world today?
What is his enduring legacy in your opinion?
JC: His enduring legacy was that by treating your rivals with respect and understanding, by having the idea of justice uppermost in your mind always, you can go a long way, but never forgetting to act within the limits of the possible. Not to dream but to act pragmatically.
AY: Who do you see, if anyone, on the world stage as a potential leader that could spark the interest of young people as Mandela did?
JC: Mandela bore much likeness to Lincoln. Regrettably, people like them tend to come along once every hundred years, if a country is lucky. I see no one of his/their moral or political stature out there right now.
Mandela and the General is available now wherever books are sold. It is one of my picks for 2018 books of the year, you can order from amazon prime below-
*The clan or family name represents a person’s ancestry. The meaning is deeper than a surname and is used as a sign of respect and affection. The origin of Madiba comes from a chief who ruled in the 18th century, according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
art credit – Plough Publishing House