Readers on Nelson Mandela: He made the world a better place

How do you introduce a batch of letters on Nelson Mandela? By being as brief as possible.

What can be said about the dozens of letters on the anti-apartheid revolutionary’s death Thursday is that they all eulogize the late South African president with effusive admiration. There are no revisionist histories, no “yeah, but” contrarians. Some do get political, but almost all speak of Mandela’s universally admired qualities and remarkable life.

Manhattan Beach resident Charles Reilly notes Mandela’s magnanimity:

“Mandela was a great leader and an inspirational figure to people across the planet. He suffered for his ideals during his imprisonment, but never let that experience cause him to seek revenge. On the contrary, it made him a far superior man.

PHOTOS: Nelson Mandela through the years“Now that he’s gone, we can reflect on his amazing achievements and his legacy. Mandela was truly someone who left the world a much better place than it was before he arrived.”

Chamba Sanchez of Silver Lake says Mandela keenly understood his role:“I was saddened to learn of Mandela’s passing. He truly was a beacon of hope, courage and freedom.

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“This man spent 27 years in prison breaking rocks because he was asking for justice for his community. You would think that once he regained his freedom, he would engage in vengeful and destructive politics.

“Rather, the exact opposite took place. Mandela understood that it was not about him and that he had a bigger responsibility. He practiced the politics of unity that eventually transformed his entire country. The legacy of this man is that he made the impossible possible. He filed grievances and spoke boldly against those who were oppressing his people.

“Mandela belongs in the pantheon of great humans. This planet is a better place because of his courage.”

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Larry Shapiro of Rancho Mirage gets political:

“Right-wing opposition to Mandela goes all the way back to 1986. That year, Congress passed the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, which imposed tough restrictions and sanctions on South Africa and demanded freedom for Mandela and other jailed political prisoners.

“The bill was vetoed by President Reagan, whose administration labeled Mandela’s African National Congress a terrorist group. Reagan was supported by then-Rep. Dick Cheney, who later said he had no regrets about his vote.

“Congress overrode the president’s veto, and the act went into effect.”

San Dimas resident Eugene Sison pens a staccato epitaph:

“Impoverished. Segregated. Instigator. Criminal. Revolutionary. Terrorist. Prisoner. Sinner.

“Son. Brother. Husband. Father. Founder. President. Conciliator. Activist. Statesman. Inspiration. Saint.

“Nelson Mandela.”

Denny Freidenrich of Laguna Beach places Mandela in good historical company:

“Some people -- like Confucius, Plato, Cleopatra, William Shakespeare and Mother Theresa -- belong to the ages. You can add Mandela’s name to this list now.

“R.I.P., Madiba.”

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