Without their wisdom, the world would not be the same. The struggles and obstacles they had to overcome in their lives helped these men become wise. Martin Luther King Jr. fought against discrimination and led the civil rights movement in America. Nelson Mandela spent years suffering abuse in prison before becoming president of South Africa. Gandhi chose to live humbly to understand the struggle that the lower class was going through. This helped him gain the respect of others and also gave him a new perspective. Each of them made a huge contribution to independence. Through the pain these men endured, they gained the awareness they are known for today. (word count