Star Walker of the Month March 2007 - James Brown

"We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence..." -- Mandela Quoting a Malcolm X Speech

“With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.”
-- Chinese Proverb

The story of Nelson Mandela is so embedded in the indomitable spirit of human kind that it screams out to be heard. How could one person survive twenty-seven years in prison and yet emerge more knowledgeable and wiser than when they were first imprisoned? Yet from behind prison walls Mandela’s voice quietly made its way across all boundaries and all races until the right time when he would inevitably be heard by all, upon his release. His voice and what he stands for would resonate deeply within all who possess even the basic idea of human rights and equality.

Through something bigger than him, Nelson Mandela was able to forge and re-forge his spirit in the fire of his seemingly inhuman patience again, and again. It was as if with the passing of each year he was imprisoned, he became stronger, more absolute in his quest. During his time of imprisonment he read numerous books and had time to examine and re-examine his ideals. But the more time he spent in prison, the more driven he became. The destruction of spirit that was waged against him, would in the long run, fail to be victorious. But instead, would only fuel the fire within him. He took a raging inner passion and focused it on something productive, positive and awe inspiring! His long lasting passion for the very cause he was prepared to die for, served him well in that it seems to be the very thing that spared him. Time Magazine’s 100, noted him as being one of only four people in history to have shaped both the 20th century and the early 21st. The other three listed are Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Pope John Paul II.

“For seventeen days, they are roommates. For seventeen days, they are soul mates. And for twenty-two seconds, they are competitors. Seventeen days as equals. Twenty-two seconds as adversaries. What a wonderful world that would be. That's the hope I see in the Olympic Games.” – Nelson Mandela at Olympic Games

In Star Walker Radio Episode VI: House of the Hallow - Part I, Star Walker Ken Ju Kai Malachi Oman says the following to new Star Walker recruit Eric Dane: “Search your heart Eric least you die a common and un-inspiring death!”. Eric Dane replies: “Yes, I would prefer that I die, for something that I believe in!” Nelson Mandela said the following words, (what he said overshadows when, or even where he said it): “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” One reason these Star Walker of the Month features are written is to illustrate the solid connection between the greatest hopes and ideals of our modern times and those ideals revealed by the characters and stories of Star Walker!

“We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.” – Helen Keller

If Star Trek promises a hopeful future in which our imaginations are encouraged to stretch far beyond the stars and travel to where the NASA Space Program has yet to even dream of going, then Star Walker embraces the tenements of an honorable and spiritually enlightened humanity. Star Walker re-enforces ideals which set the very foundation of such high human adventure. Only when the world truly lives what Nelson Mandela speaks of, will we even be able to begin to build the kind of adventures of human kind the best of our pioneering spirit seeks to express. Humanity can only reach its highest level when everyone from every race, from both genders, have the opportunity to contribute. Therefore Nelson Mandela’s cause innately belongs to, and speaks to all of us. One day the world, the executive on Wall Street will discover ‘why’ and ‘how’ the shoeless child in Africa affects him, one day every American will discover ‘how’, and ‘why’ the less fortunate of the world is not just some politically correct posturing, but a concern tattooed on the very walls of their hearts. Those are just two quick and simple examples, but it goes on and on. The popular ‘Play it Forward Movement’ is just the beginning of an inevitable and evolving world wide human consciousness. The ideals of human equality that Mandela speaks of, is not just Umkhonto we Sizwe (translated - Spear of the Nation of Africa), but the ‘Spear of the World’!

The Blood Diamond Controversy

Nelson Mandela was often noted as having ‘personal association’ with some diamond-industry managers, as well as having an outlook for 'narrow national interests' of South Africa. In a The New Republic article in December 2006, Nelson Mandela was criticized for a number of positive comments he had made about the diamond industry, specifically in regard to Blood Diamonds. In a letter to Edward Zwick, the director of the movie Blood Diamond, Mandela had noted that:

"...it would be deeply regrettable if the making of the film inadvertently obscured the truth, and, as a result, led the world to believe that an appropriate response might be to cease buying mined diamonds from Africa. ... We hope that the desire to tell a gripping and important real life historical story will not result in the destabilization of African diamond producing countries, and ultimately their peoples." – Mandela

It has been said that Star Walker is about finding your passion, your God given talent and living it to the fullest. Nelson Mandela found his passion in life because the life around him demanded that he live for a purpose.

“We are not of those who fall back to perdition! Indeed, we, are, Ken Ju Kai!”

Nelson Mandela we would like to personally thank you for your high ideals and your willingness to ‘hang on’. You inspire us here at Star Walker. May God bless and forever embrace what must be a divinely inspired spirit. You continue to be a shinning example to the entire world. You embody what the Star Walkers are all about, which is goodness, loyalty, true friendship, excellence, courage, kindness, compassion, family, divine purpose, true artistry, leadership, human rights, and love. We extend to you Nelson Mandela an honorary 7th Rank within the Star Walker Ken Ju Kai. It is one of the highest ranks of the Ken Ju Kai, the warriors of good within the Star Walker Universe! In the spirit of the Star Walker Ken Ju Kai, we here at Star Walker – remember and honor you Nelson Mandela because you are indeed, a Star Walker.

Commenteors – What other people have to say about this Star Walker of the Month, these commentaries are like comets and meteors, brief but prolific and enlightening – sure to leave a trail of insightfulness across your heart - what we call Commenteors.

To Star Walk – Click here and find Nelson Mandela’s star as he is forever remembered in the galaxy of the stars within the Star Walker Universe. View and watch the skies slowly fill in the coming months and years as the light of Star Walker, after Star Walker, after Star Walker fills the heavens. We do this as an interactive memorial tribute to those who have through fate, destiny, and even under divine purpose, left the rest of us behind – and to those who still walk among us.

Past Star Walkers of the Month:

February 2007 - James Brown

January 2007 - Mother Teresa

December 2006 - Paul Allen Knopf

November 2006 - Princess Diana

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