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I knew that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred; he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.
Explanation:
Mandela recognised that the oppressor, like the victim, needed to be freed. A person who takes away another person's liberty is a prisoner of hatred, imprisoned by prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Mandela realised that he was not completely free if he was robbing someone else of their freedom, just as he was not genuinely free when his freedom was taken away. He believed that both the victim and the oppressor lose their humanity in an act of injustice such as apartheid.
Sl. No | Words | Meanings |
1 | Valley | A low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing through it |
2 | Crest | The top of a mountain or hill |
3 | Ripe | Having arrived at the fitting stage or time for a particular action or purpose |
4 | Downpour | A heavy fall of rain |
5 | Shower | A brief and usually light fall of rain, hail, sleet, or snow |
6 | Intimately | In a way that involves detailed knowledge |
National Council of Educational Research and Training (2007). First Flight. Nelson Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (pp. 16 - 23). Published at the Publication Division by the Secretary, National Council of Educational Research and Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi..
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