The Roles of Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King - Assignment Example

The Role of Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King in the Social and Political Contexts The Roles of Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King in the Social and Political Contexts Nelson Mandela is remembered for his role and contribution in the social and political environment in South Africa and the world at large. In the social context, he played a significant role in the end of the apartheid rule in South Africa. The country was divided into racial lines where the non-whites were not allowed to interact with the whites (Crompton, 2007).

The whites assumed the highest social class in the country where the majorities were non-whites. He is respected as an icon who sacrificed his more than 40 years in jail in the struggle against the racial regime in South Africa (Crompton, 2007). The leader was also a symbol of peace in the continent and beyond. His volunteerism influenced the end of racial segregation in other parts of the world. Nelson Mandela also played a significant role in the change of the political environment in South Africa, the African continent, and the outside world.

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. The goal of the movements was to demand equal representation of the minority groups in the social and economic sectors of the country. He also significantly changed the social environment through his demand for the people’s rights in a non-violent manner. He ensured that none of his protests engaged in violence as a way of maintaining peace.

Martin Luther King also played a significant role in the American political environment. He was at the forefront in the passing of the Civil Rights Act that saw the rights of the minorities respected. Likewise, he influenced the passing of the Voting Rights Act that saw the African Americans and other minority groups participate in the voting exercise (Darby, 2005). This gave the minority groups a political voice and led to many of them being elected as representatives in the government. Some scholars have argued that Luther played a significant role in the election of President Obama since it is through his campaigns that African Americans have been respected and treated as equals in the American political environment.

References Crompton, S. E. (2007). Nelson Mandela: Ending apartheid in South Africa. New York: Chelsea House. Darby, J. (2005). Martin Luther King Jr. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Co.