This month, the world reacted to the news that Nelson Mandela had passed away in South Africa. The news was met with sorrow, but there was also an incredible celebration of his life. A life that was grounded in his willingness to stay true to his beliefs of equity, justice and honour.
In the late 1960's, the apartheid government in South Africa was determined to contine it's goal of keeping the white regime in control. They killed and silenced anyone who was trying to stand up to the system. Mandela, as an active leader in the African National Congress, was seen as a threat to the government and their way to silence that voice was to imprison him in the Robin Island Prison for twenty-seven years. During this time his voice was never silenced. His message of resistance to the injustice of his people grew stronger and stronger and the world heard the message and saw that he was speaking of a necessary truth. The world took up Mandela's message and pressured the government to free him from his jail. Mandela eventually became the leader of his country and broke down the apartheid system that had imprisoned him to keep him silent. Silence was never an option.
Over the last four years, Williamsburg has been exploring, learning and working to "say something" in order to make our school a better place. This past month a group of junior students believed it was necessary to support the victims of the typhoon in the Phillipines. They spent their free time at home and at lunch creating these rainbow loom bracelets which they eventually sold to the other students in our school. At the end of the week they had made $165 dollars and had said something about determination, perseverance and compassion. Our community is also actively involved in supporting social justice causes along with building our own community.
By standing up and saying something we are connecting our students to themselves, their peers, their school community and their world. By raising their voices they can become more active in what happens in their world. Our community is a strong one and it is made stronger by giving more power to each of our voices.
In the end, our goal at Williamsburg is the same as Mandela's.....Ultimately, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." This is a great truth and to make sure we educate our students by empowering them to say something is the most important way to ensure that the spirit of Nelson Mandela lives on in each and every one of us.
