I will pick in
south of the equator...
Stephen Biko
He was an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa who was murdered while in police custody for his beliefs.
I was living in England at this time and remember it somewhat. I was probably too young to appreciate exactly what was going on but remember the outrage in the newspapers.
Biko was arrested several times for protesting against the regime, the last time he suffered major head injuries while in custody then died shortly after a 1000 mile ride in the back of a land rover naked.
I think his life and death sum up apartheid. In 1973 it was illegal for him to make speeches, or even to speak to more than one person at a time. His movements were strictly watched, and it was even forbidden to quote anything he might say. He was arrested 21 August 1977, beaten, and was still alive 11 September 1977 when he was loaded naked into the truck for the trip to Pretoria. He died 12 September 1977.
When in university he helped found the South African Student's Association, which later evolved into the Black Consciousness Movement.
Biko is credited with the phrase, "Black is Beautiful"
He defines that as: "man, you are okay as you are, begin to look upon yourself as a human being."
Biko will be forever remembered through many different ways, music among them. "Shame" by The Lucy Show is a favorite of mine.
Peter Gabriel's take:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY_5e...eature=related
"...black and white, with only one colour dead."