“What Counts in Life”
My Mandela Moment
by Quincy Christian
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived; it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela
As I walked through the exhibit I spent some time reflecting on the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X as well as that of Nelson Mandela. I know a lot about Malcolm and Martin and thought I knew a lot about Nelson, but the more I saw the more I realized that I didn’t. I knew his impact on the world in addition to South Africa was profound and I knew about the time he lost sitting in prison and often times was callous or ignorant with regards to the time he lost. I used to dwell on the fact that Martin and Malcolm gave their lives and paid the ultimate sacrifice leaving behind fatherless families but what did Nelson lose? He suffered a fate some might say was worse than death by sitting in prison simply for demanding equal treatment for his people, the indigenous people of the continent. He endured years of substandard and inhumane treatment within the walls of a prison system that still practiced the racial segregation that he was serving time there for opposing. He lost what some might say were the best or prime years of his life behind bars. His children grew up without him, his second wife matured and grew into her own magnificence but suffered great personal loss while he was imprisoned and their marriage eroded and dissolved after his release. Yes, they maintained their friendship. Yes, he connected with his children. Yes, he became a global superstar and was courted by the most privileged of society and treated like a king. Yes, he saw apartheid come to an end. Yes, he experienced political victory where none thought possible. Yes, he was a catalyst for change but… many of the things that he along with Malcolm, Martin and countless other civil rights activists fought against are still being practiced. Racism is alive and well, discrimination is prevalent, police are still assassinating black men and getting away with it. The gap between the worlds wealthiest and poorest continues to grow and the one constant is the obvious color line. I stood in awe of what Nelson accomplished and proud as I walked through the exhibit but found myself like so many other times angered by what I saw and for the fact that although apartheid no longer exists as law in many ways it is still practiced just unwritten. So many people turn a blind eye to it but Nelson didn’t and WE shouldn’t. WE should make a difference in the world and as so many have said it, “leave the world better than we found it”. Nelson did and I want to as well. I have a strong belief in God and know MY purpose, OUR collective purpose on earth is to serve others. If we’re not doing that than what are we here for? The years Nelson lost were not in vain. He actually didn’t lose them, he gave them to all of us. Nelson, made a direct impact on my life. He made me question if I’ve done enough and I haven’t. I NEED to and WILL do more.
I’m a father of two, son, uncle and brother and Omaha area native. My father was in the Air Force so I was a military brat. I was born at Offutt AFB, but lived in California, the Philippines, England, Delaware and Michigan before returning to Nebraska just prior to 9th grade. I attended Bellevue west high school and graduated from Delaware State University (Go Hornets!!!). While at Del State, I majored in broadcast journalism and minored in theater and that’s where my passion for writing exploded. Screenplays, short stories, poems, hip hop, you name it. In addition to my writing I am also a percussionist. I started playing drums with wooden spoons on my mother’s pots and pans, and graduated to playing in school and in church. Marching band, jazz, symphonic and gospel are all genres I’ve been involved with. I’m passionate about God and my faith is my foundation. I’m active on my church praise team as a musician, vice president of our men’s group and also on the church governance board. I have a personal motto that I preach to my children and it’s that we need to leave the earth better than we found it. That comment is not new and I can’t claim ownership of it, but I love it and live by it. I moved back to Omaha after graduation and after 20 years here am proud to say this is the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere. I love to travel, but Nebraska will always be home. From 9-5 I am a Regional Supply Chain Manager at Cox Communications and just celebrated my 20th anniversary . In my role, I oversee the Cox warehouses in Nebraska, Kansas and Idaho and like to say that if it’s Cox equipment in your home then it probably came through one of my buildings. I love my job and my people and that extends to my family in my Employee Resource group, the Cox Black/African American ERG where I’m a member and lead ambassador. Working at Cox has afforded me many great opportunities, one of them being serving on the Nelson Mandela exhibit advisory board. It’s been a tremendous honor and pleasure.
Read More Personal Stories!
My Mandela Moment »
Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition is on display at The Durham Museum now through July 3, 2022. The exhibit takes visitors on a personal journey through the life of the world’s most iconic freedom fighter and political leader.
