Nelson Mandela and Invitcus 4

Benet Kinghorn History 5/3/2010
It is 1995 and a young South African boy is in the stands of one of the most surprising victories in rugby history. The South African Springboks, a mediocre team, has just beat the New Zealand All Blacks by a half field kick in overtime. He sees the 60,000 people around jumping for joy. It did not matter if their skin was black, white, or green. They all celebrated a great victory for the country and its people. This is one of those special moments sports can be about. Whether it be a Tommy Frasier led team winning a National title for Nebraska or a mediocre rugby team a half a world away in South Africa, these games mean something beyond the final score. Even if you hated the Huskers or you didn't think that someone needs to be killed because he is Black. Sports can bring us all together.
I have never had to witness the horrible things that happened because of racism. Whether it be slavery, segregation such as drinking out of different water areas, or having to be a certain color to play a sport. I am so happy that for the most part we get along. However there is evidence of people being treated differently still today. Most of the high technology jobs are filled by white people. Now having a black president progress has been made, but racism is still out there. Whites still make more money most of the time. In Invictus I read and visualized what it would be like to live in a country where you can't be friends with a person of a different race. Mandela brought a new light what it means to get along with someone of a different race.
South Africa today seems like a great country to live in. A lot better than it was 20 years ago. My parents had some people from South Africa on work visas here working for our family business. They were awesome. I remember them always watching rugby, cricket, or even soccer. I would have never known that someone could dislike people like them. But obviously it is possible. In Invictus I learned that people can be weird about judging something as small as the next guys skin color. It is not a true measurement of the person. I am thankful for what Mandela did for his fellow citizens and for setting an example for the rest of the world.