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Tens of thousands of Detroiters recall being inspired by Nelson Mandela in person 23 years ago.
The global icon of endurance and triumph died Thursday at 95 in South Africa, the homeland where he went from enemy of the state to head of state.
Nelson Mandela, speaking to 49,000 people at Tiger Stadium four months after leaving prison in South Africa.
Detroit was among eight U.S. cities on a 12-day national tour in 1990, four months after the unbroken anti-apartheid crusader was released from 27 years in prison.
Between stops in Miami and Los Angeles, he spent 18 hours here. He toured Ford's Rouge factory, attended receptions with Mayor Coleman Young and other city leaders, and spoke at a sold-out rally at Tiger Stadium.
More than 49,000 people paid $10 to $10,000 for seat at the stadium event, the Los Angeles Times reported.
- Two video excerpts are below, and a 54-minute C-Span version is here.
- The Free Press looks back at the historic day as part of its Thursday night coverage.
Ken Coleman, who was 22 at the time, recalls "taking the Dexter bus downtown" that day to see Mandela, which he describes as on Facebook as "one of the highlights of my life."
"I remember being so overwhelmingly proud and excited," recalls another attendee, Benita Raquiba Miller, a Detroiter now in New York.
The visiting dignitary certainly was a good sport during his 18 hours in Detroit.
In its report the next day, here's some of what the Los Angeles Times reported from its Detroit bureau:
"I think we hit a home run tonight, and we picked a good place for it- - Tiger Stadium," an ecstatic Young later told the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was acting as commentator on a local TV station.
A multiracial crowd at the stadium sat through a five-hour concert, serenaded by the likes of Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, to hear Mandela deliver a 20-minute speech at the end of a long day.
"Your solidarity has given us enormous strength and courage," Mandela said. "We will not forget you." . . .
Owen Bieber, the UAW president, [earlier] presented Mandela and his wife, Winnie, with lifetime union memberships and UAW jackets and caps, which a smiling Mandela immediately donned, despite the sweltering heat in the factory. The workers, both black and white, had waited most of the afternoon for Mandela, who arrived four hours late from Miami and declared himself "very happy to touch down in the industrial heartland.""The man who stands before you is not a stranger," Mandela said. "I am a member of the UAW; I am your flesh and blood. I am your comrade."
On Thursday night, local admirers reflected on social media. These are among tributes:
- Betty DeRamus, Detroit author: He walked out of prison still wrapped in dignity after 27 years in cramped cells lit by one bulb. He walked out of prison still the guardian of his people's hopes and the keeper of their faith. He walked out of prison with proud steps, his back unbent, his spirit unbroken, his soul simmering with the same fire. "Viva, Mandela," the crowd chanted. "Long live the old man." And so he did.
- Anna Clark, Detroit writer: Most powerful lesson from Nelson Mandela: how to say no to power. He could've won the presidency his whole life. He could've won anything he wanted. He served one term, and never ran for anything a again.
- Monica Morgan, Detroit photographer: There will never be another Nelson Mandela.
- Vikki Williamson, Detroit: He will never be forgotten. He was an icon of the struggle for freedom around the world. Wishing Madiba a peaceful journey!
- Randi Berris, DTE Energy media relations executive: Just had a conversation with my 8-year-old daughter about Nelson Mandela and why he is a true hero. Thank you, Mr. Mandela, for making this a world in which children only learn about apartheid in history books. RIP.
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Jillian Bogater, University of Michigan employee: I was aware of Nelson Mandela's struggle when I was a child. By 1990, I was minoring in African studies at CMU, watching in awe as newspaper headlines replaced textbooks. Mandela was freed from prison, and apartheid began to crumble. I was lucky enough to see him speak a few months later at old Tiger Stadium. He was amazing. I still have ANC flags that were passed out to the crowd that day.
After a lifetime of fighting for human rights, Mandela leaves a legacy that continues to inspire. Amandla! Ngawethu! - Alexa Stanard, Oak Park writer: Thinking of my African friends at Freedom House tonight. I've led Language Club, a weekly conversation group, there for several years, and from time to time asked each resident to share his or her personal hero. I always had to exclude Nelson Mandela as an option, or else ask them to name two heroes, because everyone would choose him. I know his passing is felt very deeply by the Freedom House diaspora tonight.
- J. Kyle Keener, former Free Press photographer now in Philadelphia: I had the honor of photographing Nelson Mandela . . . on the day after the anti-apartheid activist was freed from prison after serving 27 years. Photojournalists from across the globe gathered in his humble Soweto back yard for a press conference. I remember sitting at his feet and being captivated by his elegance and dignity.
