In Memorium of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Resolution Number: RF13-317

December, 2013

Whereas:

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in rural South Africa in 1918, into a society languishing under the oppression of colonialism, and undertook a lifelong struggle against the racist and discriminatory laws that held back Africans in South Africa, attending the University of Fort Hare to become a lawyer; and

Whereas:

Nelson Mandela transformed his personal struggle into the wider struggle for multiracial democracy and equality in South Africa, becoming a leader of the African National Congress, a fighter for the rights of workers, and a founding member of the anti-apartheid resistance group Umkhonto we Sizwe; and

Whereas:

Nelson Mandela fought for the rights of the downtrodden: people of color, the poor, people with disabilities, and prisoners; and

Whereas:

Nelson Mandela, imprisoned for twenty-seven years, became a leading proponent of non-violent struggle and national reconciliation; and

Whereas:

Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa, successfully bound the bleeding wounds of his nation, and then voluntarily gave up power to serve his home community and other crisis-stricken communities around the world; and

Whereas:

Faculty, staff, administrators, and students at San Francisco State University, the California State University, and across the state of California played a role in overturning U.S. support for the apartheid regime and ushering in a divestment and eventual boycott of apartheid South Africa; and

Whereas:

Nelson Mandela’s life and words reflect the values that we hold dear at San Francisco State University, including social and restorative justice, global awareness, commitment to human dignity, and service to our communities; therefore be it

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate at San Francisco State University recognize Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela as a model who might be emulated in our approach to serving students, our treatment of our colleagues and co-workers, and our curricular pursuits; and be it further

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate support reflection across the university as to how we can honor the memory of this great human and adopt the lessons he leaves for us; and be it further

Resolved:

In his honor, we call for a memorial at SF State that will critically engage our community in discussing multiracial democracy, strength in diversity, and the history of both U.S. support of the apartheid regime and of struggles against apartheid at SF State and across California.