February 11, 1990: Madiba Is Free
Nelson Mandela. So many of us know his name and parts of his story: how he spent 27 years behind bars; how he fought against a brutal and relentless apartheid regime; and how he became South Africa’s first democratically elected President. And on this day, 34 years ago, Madiba became a free man.
In 2019, I read Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, a book that is in my top five favorite books of all time. I became obsessed with learning more about his life and the events of the anti-apartheid movement, from the Soweto Uprising, to Chris Hani’s assasination, and the negotiations that took place to end apartheid.
Next, I plan to read and learn more about his former wife, Winnie Mandela, who often fails to get the credit she deserves for her valiant fight against apartheid. After all, Nelson was imprisoned, but in a way, she was as well. Incarceration affects the whole family. Therefore, we should never forget that Winnie was a devoted advocate, all while having to keep herself and her children afloat, after the state broke up her family. We should never forget the persecution she faced and the sacrifice she made.
In honor of his historic release I found myself reflecting on that moment. What it must have felt like to be physically free, but not free in every respect. And particularly, as this is Black History month, I am reminded that Black history is expansive, it is not just unique to Black Americans and those who live in the United States. The Black struggle is universal among all people of African descent; Nelson Mandela’s life is a reminder.
In January, I attended, “Mandela: The Exhibition” at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. It was a wonderful visual depiction of his life. The exhibit showcased his birthplace Mvezo; his move to Johannesburg; his law practice Mandela and Tambo, with his friend and fellow activist, Oliver Tambo; his activism with the ANC; and the trials and eventual imprisonment that changed the course of his life forever.
However, my favorite part of the exhibition was the display of newspapers around the world on February 11, 1990. Newspapers around the globe declared the good news. As I viewed this portion of the exhibit I began to wonder: what were the other issues of the day in each of these respective places? Particularly, what were the issues facing America, and particularly the midwest at the time? Sure, we were in the middle of a presidential election, but what else? What were the discussions and debates of the day? What else was happening around the world from the United States’ perspective? So, back to the archives of the Detroit Free Press I went (thank you again to the Detroit Public Library!).
What I found was informative but it was also sobering. I was struck by the fact that the more things change, the more they often remain the same. What would Madiba, who was committed to the rights of all people, think? What are your thoughts? Read on below for my notes of the February 11, 1990 edition of the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press.
“Today, Freedom, Mandela Release Granted After 27 Years in Jail”
Mandela was released at 8:00 AM Detroit time, and went to Soweto’s Orlando West district.
“Tyson Takes it on the Chin, Loses Heavyweight Title”
Tyson lost in the tenth round to James “Buster” Douglas in Tokyo, losing his heavyweight title.
“Eastern Europe at Crossroads”
“Communism’s failures raise huge problems”
“During the adjustment to a free-market system, the government must deal with unemployment, inflation, enormous debts and even an atrophied work ethic.”
Calendar of Change:
March 18: East German Parliment Elections
March 25: Hungarian Parliment Elections
April: Parliament Elections in Romania and possibly Yugoslavia. Local voting in Poland.
May: Bulgarian Parliment Elections
June: Soviet Legislature expected to vote on Commuist Party reforms. Parliament elections in Czechoslavkia.
“Struggling Ford Dealers Enlist Jackson”
Jesse Jackson, at the request of the Black Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Dealers Association, will meet with Ford to request help due to slumping car sales.
The group fears that slumping car sales could cause 40 of its 257 Black dealers to go out of business.
Last year 26 Black Ford dealers went out of business; Chrysler added 12 Black dealers bringing its total to 84; GM’s total dropped by 10 to 104 Black dealers last year.
“In many cases, Ford is a part-owner of its black-owned dealerships. If a dealer is losing money, Ford buys a bigger portion of the dealership and gives the dealer cash to stay in business.”
“Jailed Mom Loses Daughter, Hope for a Brighter Future”
This article was a difficult one to read, because it was a stereotypical archetype of the time period: profiles of crack addicted Black mothers. I knew sweeping generalizations like this were common at the time, but it was difficult reading it for myself.
There is another article similar to this one entitled “Drugs, a Baby, and a Dose of Faulty Logic,” later on in the paper.
“La Violencia: In Bogota Death and Fear Disrupt the Lives of those Caught in the Drug War’s Crossfire”
“A Helping Hand - Not Jail - for Drug Use”
This was article was written by famed Judge of Detroit’s Recorder’s Court, George Crockett Jr. I learned about George Crockett Jr.’s civil rights work prior to his judgeship in Whose Detroit by Heather Ann Thompson, so it was a delight to read one of his writings.
His thesis is that we should not criminalize personal drug use.
“If we were really serious about helping those addicted to drugs, the U.S. government would not be spending more than 92 percent of its total “anti-drug effort on criminal law enforcement - including $1 billion for new prison construction- and less than 30 percent on drug treatment, prevention and education.”
“This apportionment of federal funding contrasts starkly with a decade ago (1979) when the federal government allocated 56 percent of its drug-control budget to treatment, education and prevention programs.”
“The Bottom Line”
Provides a snapshot of salaries across the NFL
The Detroit Lions’ average salaries (Mike Cofer, Barry Sanders, Lomas Brown, Rodney Peete) of $218,827 is ranked 27th in 28-team NFL in 1989. San Francisco tops the rankings with average salaries of $346,702 and Tampa Bay is last at $187,096
“Lakers, Pistons in Upper Class at Middle of Season”
Pistons had best record in East
There is a also a mention of how the NBA All-Star will be seen in more than 70 countries
“Cuts to Arms Puts Many on Defensive”
Washington is proposing Defense budget cuts that include a proposal to phase out the nation’s tank production program.
The goal is to save the United States’ $1 billion a year, while they develop a new tank.
Unfortunately, this proposal will hurt several plants in metro Detroit who rely on production of the M1 for nearly half its business. This proposal is also bad for minority owned suppliers too.
“City Schools: Part of Blame May be UofM’s”
I encourage us local to Detroit to read this one. This was a very interesting piece on the University of Michigan’s lack of investment in Detroit and Detroit schools.
“Parents Should have Free Choice on Schools”
“Parent who choose a Christian, Jewish or any other school that is available and meets certain academic standards should be able to so with no tuition penalty.”
“Walker Cisler Keeps Running at Full Power”
92 year-old Walker Cisler is Former Head of Detroit Edison
Advocate for use of peaceful energy
Mechanical engineer who helped USSR restore its power after ½ destroyed by German Parizer division striking at power plants in Ukraine
“Legislature Adds Punch to Young’s Utility-Tax Mission”
Mentions that Detroit bashing in the state’s capital is a long-standing sport.
There is an ongoing debate in Lansing because Mayor Young wants to keep utility–tax revenue source, because city could be forced to rebate $100 million in improper tax collections.
“Big 3 Earnings slump expected”
“Earnings reports from the Big Three due this week are expected to be bleak as slow sales, production cuts and costly incentives take a big bitef from profits”
“Bold New Explorer”
$15,000, 4-liter V-6 engie
Described as “peppier” than Ford Bronco it is replacing. Ford is also trying to compete with Chrysler’s Jeep Cherokee.
The goal is also that this will help catapult Ford in fast-growing 700k unit a year compact sports utility vehicle market
“$200,000 ‘fantasy machine’ a beacon for embattled Chrysler”
At the time, Chrysler owned Lamborghini.
Lamborghini is introducing the $200,000 Diablo car.
Last week, Chrysler closed its Jefferson Avenue plant to open a new one in St. Louis.