On July 18th 1918 to the Xhosa people of Southern Africa, once was born a child named Rolihlahla.
Rolihlahla in the Xhosa language means "to pull a branch of a tree", or more colloquially "troublemaker". Rolihlahla's paternal great-grandfather Ngubengcuka (who died in 1832), ruled as the Inkosi Enkhulu, or king, of the Thembu people. However, because he was only the Inkosi's child by a wife of the Ixhiba clan (the so-called "Left-Hand House"), the descendants of his branch of the royal family were not eligible to succeed to the Thembu throne.
Rolihlahla's father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, served as chief of the town of Mvezo. However, upon alienating the colonial authorities, they deprived Mphakanyiswa of his position, and moved his family to Qunu. It seems chief Mphakanyiswa, had a little Rolihlahla or "troublemaker" in him.
You see more often than not in the "adult world", the term "troublemaker" is given a negative connotations. Parents often tell their children to "be quiet", "wait your turn", and "don't cause trouble." "Troublemaking" is often confused with lawlessness, anarchy, and havoc. "Troublemakers" are often teacher's worse nightmares.
Troublemakers are often labeled "problem childs". But all of the greatest champions of social movements around the world have been "troublemakers". Martin Luther King Jr. was a "troublemaker", Susan B. Anthony was a "troublemaker", Harriet Tubman was a "troublemaker", Václav Havel was a "troublemaker", Gandhi was a "troublemaker", Lech Wałęsa was a "troublemaker". O yeah that young Xhosa trouble maker "Rolihlahla"? Well he grew up to make a name for himself in his own right. This young "troublemaker" grew up to be one of the greatest "troublemakers" the world has ever seen. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
So how does this long history of "trouble-making" and social justice fit into contemporary American society? Well as we turn towards the political news of the day we are being told by our party "elders" to "be more quiet", "wait your turn", and "don't cause so much trouble." On issues like getting universal healthcare to all Americans, finally ending the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, addressing climate change, and yes marriage equality, too often the grassroots are advised to not cause so much "trouble" for elected officials. "Don't you know many of these elected officials come from "red states" we are told. As if the red state's residents don't need universal healthcare, climate change to be addressed, and our young soldiers to come home. "If you cause too much trouble we may lose our next election" we are warned.
But no battle was ever won, no great victory was ever achieved without the help of a few "troublemakers". So as we blast our email, write our letters to the editor, and call our elected reps, one word always should come to mind. If you are ever turned back by the powers that be, told to go slower, to wait, to not cause so much trouble, remember one word.
Rolihlahla. It worked out pretty good many times before
( re-posted and updated every year to honor my hero )