Both Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr. attended universities and received degrees, so they were very educated men. Nelson Mandela supported both peaceful and violent disobedience, whereas Martin Luther King, Jr. strictly promoted peaceful disobedience. Both men served time in jail for holding firm to their beliefs, and both published writings while in jail. Nelson Mandela, however, spent a much longer time in jail - 27 years. Nelson Mandela was involved in many more of the political aspects including the ANC and PAC, and he ultimately become president, whereas, Martin Luther King, Jr. was a more religious figure due to his position as a pastor. Lastly, both men were awarded the Noble Peace Prize for their involvement in civil rights.
Nelson Mandela's quote, "I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die," reminded me very much of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, specifically where he says, "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Both are advocating for equal rights of all people, and both feel that their nations are not living up to their ideals. Nelson Mandela says he will die for this cause. Similarly, Martin Luther King, Jr. says there is no turning back, and he will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream." Neither man will be satisfied until there is equality in their nations.
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