The New York Times has a big headline today about how the poor condition of Nelson Mandela has made a meeting between Mandela and president Obama impossible. According to the Times, the two men are each major international symbols.
Sadly, the Times has once again gotten it wrong. Nelson Mandela is a hero because of what he accomplished during his lifetime. He changed the course of the history of South Africa in incredible ways. Mandela's race factors into his achievements but they are not the cause of his accomplishments. Obama, on the other hand, is notable as the first black American president. For Obama, it is race that makes him him notable. He has been a mediocre president with little in the way of actual accomplishments. Nothing about Obama in particular other than his race makes him worthy of being remembered by history. Mandela is famous for what he did, while Obama has fame for who he is. It is an important distinction.
Sadly, the Times has once again gotten it wrong. Nelson Mandela is a hero because of what he accomplished during his lifetime. He changed the course of the history of South Africa in incredible ways. Mandela's race factors into his achievements but they are not the cause of his accomplishments. Obama, on the other hand, is notable as the first black American president. For Obama, it is race that makes him him notable. He has been a mediocre president with little in the way of actual accomplishments. Nothing about Obama in particular other than his race makes him worthy of being remembered by history. Mandela is famous for what he did, while Obama has fame for who he is. It is an important distinction.
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