The struggle for justice is a marathon

In the closing plenary of this year's International Fundraising Congress Kumi Naidoo, International Executive Director of Greenpeace, shared an inspiring story I'd like to pass on to you (slightly paraphrased). Kumi is a life long activist from South-Africa, where he was involved in the anti-apartheid movement.

Kumi Naidoo: 'My best friend growing up was Lenny Naidu, and we fled around the same time into exile in 1987. He asked me a question the last time I would see him before we fled.'

He asked: “Kumi what is the biggest contribution you can make to the cause of justice and humanity?”

I said: “Ah, that’s a simple question, giving your life.” 

He said: “You mean going, participating in a demonstration, getting shot and killed and becoming a martyr?”

I said: “I guess so.”

He said: “That’s the wrong answer. It’s not giving your life, but giving the rest of your life. The struggle for justice is a marathon, not a sprint. And the biggest contribution that any one of us can make is maintaining a lifetime of involvement until we win those struggles.'

You can see Kumi sharing this story in below video (as of 1:05:00). I recommend you watch the entire closing plenary, it's the best one I've ever seen at the IFC...