The Roles of Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Assignment

The Roles of Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King - Assignment Example His readiness to suffer and be imprisoned for the sake of his people demonstrated to many Africans the need for standing firm in the struggle for self-rule. Even after being released from prison and elected as the first black president of the country, he only ruled for one term after which he retired to allow for other black leaders to lead the country (Crompton, 2007). This has been used as a role model of sacrificial leadership by politicians across the world. It has also been used as a reference to conflict resolution in countries where the political leaders are unwilling to exit power. The icon is also remembered for the significant role he played leading to the end of apartheid and the rise of African democracy. He led demonstrations across the country that made him imprisoned as he fought for the rights of his people. Martin Luther King, on the other hand, struggled to ensure that people of all races are treated equally and with decorum. He participated in numerous campaigns in the United States whose goal were to bring an end to racial discrimination. His fight for equality in the American social environment saw the minorities in the country being respected and elected to leadership positions (Darby, 2005). Luther’s vision was to ensure that the minorities have a voice in the social and political outlook of the United States. This, he facilitated through a chain of Civil Rights Movements starting from the early 1950s to the late 1960s.