I dedicate this article to the former Cuban president, Fidel Castro, who passed on a few days ago.
I was struck by the demise of Fidel Castro on November 25, 2016 to write an article about the legacy of a man. He left a contrasting legacy during his lifetime as a world renowned revolutionary. In fact, the late Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was one of the greatest political figures of the 20th Century. Yet he left a legacy as an anti-imperialist who saved the Cuban people from neocolonialism, and also as a so-called brutal dictator who tormented the souls of his enemies. His faithful supporters hailed him as a political messiah; his avowed detractors demonised him as an obstinate despot. It is, however, interesting to note that Mr. Castro’s legacy is highly subjective, and thus greatly influenced by one’s perspective – be it right-wing or left-wing in nature.
Okay, what is the importance of a man’s legacy in society? Well, we firstly have to understand the unique, true and simple meaning of legacy. To me, legacy is what an individual is credited with in his lifetime which leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of people even after his death. I believe legacy, therefore, is created in the course of a person’s life on Earth and not necessarily after his death. We write our own legacies with the ink of our individual deeds each day in our lifelong books. Rasheed Ogunlary once revealed that, “Legacy is not what’s left tomorrow when you’re gone. It’s what you give, create, impact and contribute today while you’re here that happens to live on.” Yes, every human being, dead or alive, has left or is leaving a legacy, small or great, in this world.
Moreover, I sense that I am leaving a legacy in and beyond my lifetime as a black African writer of genius who impacted a multitude of souls around the world through his writing potential in a far-fetched way. And that legacy of mine is actually work in progress. So what legacy are you also leaving in and beyond your lifetime as an individual in this world? Think less of the pleasures on Earth; think more of your legacy on Earth. You ought to aim at producing an unbelievable story which will be etched in people’s memory and live on for many years. I ask you, “Will your legacy be embedded in the annals of world history?” Remember, to leave an extraordinary legacy in this world, you must actually live and not just exist – know the huge difference. Besides,extraordinary spirits leave extraordinary legacies; ordinary spirits leave ordinary legacies.
Now let me give a few list of unimaginable legacies by some of the world’s greatest folks, both good and bad, who are dead and not alive. Albert Einstein left a legacy as the rarest scientist in modern history. Steve Jobs left a legacy as a titan in the field of computer technology. Osama Bin Laden left a legacy as one of the most notorious terrorists ever. Kwame Nkrumah left a legacy as arguably the greatest African leader of all time. Bob Marley left a legacy as one of the most influential musicians in world history. Henry Ford left a legacy as the pioneer of the automobile industry in the world. Muhammad Ali left a legacy as one of the greatest sports personalities the world has ever seen. John D. Rockefeller left a legacy as arguably the most distinguished businessman of all time. Martin Luther King Jr. left a legacy as the most iconic civil rights advocate ever.
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