Alright. Let's talk about something the world witnessed, considered, and deemed completely appropriate: Nelson Mandela's state funeral.
I'm not going to comment on the actual ceremony, as I'm confident it was full of meaning, properly sombre, and celebrated Mr. Mandela's legacy. Instead, there was an irony that occurred before, while Mr. Mandela's body lied in state.
Facts
- Number of international dignitaries that flocked to South Africa: 91.
- Number of Canadian Prime Ministers present: 4.
- Number of hours the average South African waited to pay their respects: 24.
- Number of same dignitaries that had to wait to pay their respects: 0.
It seems the sweetest irony that celebrity and diplomatic status took precendent over the legitimately mournful populace. Obviously, numerous international leaders boasted personal relationships with Mandela, but they cannot claim the same massive social impact of actually participating in Nelson Mandela's project of ending apartheid as citizens or victims.
Therefore, to dedicate a full day to allowing each of the 91 international dignitaries to view Mr. Mandela, and another two days for literally the rest of the country, was galling at best, abhorrent at worst.
Why must the actual victims of apartheid line up for two days fearful of losing their position on the queue, while political leaders are whisked through, posing for photo ops. and looking exactly the right mix of respectful and sombre? Why is that ok? I've read quotes of locals who had met Nelson Mandela before, elderly and young, describing their deep disappointment at learning that after two days of standing in line, they would be denied the honour of saying good bye to someone they felt gave them their lives back.
Nelson Mandela didn't end apartheid so that politcos of the hour could look good in his reflected praise, but the behaviour of the South African government indicated otherwise.
Thoughts? Disagree? Think I'm being an idiot? There's a great thing you can do... comment!