Desmond Tutu Research Paper

Desmond Tutu was born on October 7, 1931 in the country of South Africa (Desmond Tutu). Segregation of blacks and whites was commonplace at the time. However in 1948 when he was 17 years old, the country began to experience what was known as the policy of apartheid. Apartheid was an extreme version of discrimination like we had in the United States at one time (“Apartheid”). Desmond Tutu’s qualities of religious faith, foresight, leadership, activism, courage, conciliation and humor were integral in eventually bringing an end to apartheid in South Africa. As a result, his legacy lives on.

The word apartheid comes from the Dutch for “apart”, but it meant more than just keeping blacks and whites separate. Bantu, black Africans, were not allowed

to vote. It became illegal for Bantu and Afrikaners, white African people, to marry. Black and mixed race people were allowed to live only in designated areas in cities and they were not allowed to establish businesses in urban areas either. Laws called the Land Acts caused the country’s minority population, the Afrikaners, to gain ownership of more than 80% of the real estate in the country (“Apartheid”). Bantu children had to attend all-black schools, which were underfunded and they were only allowed to learn enough to keep them in jobs of servitude. Blacks were treated worse simply because of the shade of their skin (“Desmond Tutu Biography”).
Despite the injustice around him, Desmond Tutu had a happy childhood and got a good education, but perhaps most importantly he maintained his natural positivity, self-esteem and pride in his people. In addition, the seed of peaceful activism might have been planted in Tutu early on. When he was a child, he once saw a white priest showing respect to his mother. Later, Tutu told how this occasion taught him that he did not have to accept discrimination and that religious life could help bring and end to racial bias (“Desmond Tutu Biography”).
Desmond Tutu has maintained a strong Christian faith throughout his life. It has shaped his values and his development as an activist in the struggle for human rights. He was ordained an Anglican priest in 1960, with a deep conviction that everything in the world, even the darkest, most chaotic evil could be transfigured by God. In the most violent days of South Africa’s fight against apartheid, he never lost his belief that justice would be served because God was in charge. In his book, God Has a Dream, he states, “This is a moral universe, which means that despite all the evidence that seems to be to the contrary, there is no way that evil and injustice and oppression and lies can have the last word….That is what upheld the morale of our people.” (Tutu, Desmond; God Has a Dream).
His leadership skills allowed him to rise up in the church hierarchy. Consequently, Tutu gained the authority to speak out publicly against the violations of human rights caused by apartheid (Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice). He was known to challenge the white supremacists that were in power, warning them that history would consider them scum. He encouraged other countries to enact economic sanctions against South Africa so that the wealthy whites would feel financial pressure to change their ways. Many admired him and were inspired by his courage because they knew other leaders like him had been thrown into jail or assassinated for encouraging change in South Africa. He often rallied his admirers by reminding them that things could only improve since they were suffering from the worst injustice possible (“Desmond Tutu”).
Archbishop Desmond Tutu started to attract the attention of the international community. He knew it was important for the world to be aware of the troubles in South Africa. Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and wisely realized that his words would now hold more weight. He commented, "You get the Nobel Peace Prize and you say the same thing that you said before you got the prize and now everybody thinks, 'Oh, dear, the oracle has spoken.'"(Desmond Tutu Biography).
After a very turbulent, violent and ultimately successful struggle to end apartheid, in 1994 South Africa established a new Constitution.

One of the most important times in a nation’s history is the transition when a new government is established. This is when a country is very vulnerable to violence and instability. The wounds and anger suffered during the war are still fresh. There is often a cycle of retribution for past atrocities resulting in new violence that brings new hatred. Archbishop Tutu was asked to be the chairperson of the post-apartheid South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The goal was to lessen tensions between the two sides by bringing justice. Political criminals were able to request amnesty, and victims could be unburdened by telling their stories. War crimes were punished. Tutu’s ability to reconcile the sides was amazing. His faith that everyone could be forgiven and redeemed was tested as the commission heard tales of monstrous deeds perpetrated during the struggle. However, somehow they were able to heal many wounds (Tutu, Desmond, God Has a

Dream).
Born with a sense of humor, Tutu was able to use his gift to handle sticky situations. In response to tension, sometimes he discarded his original speech and entertained the audience until they were in a good enough mood to finally hear his original thoughts. This talent was invaluable to his ability as a peacemaker. (Desmond Tutu).
After apartheid was demolished, Desmond Tutu used his unique skill set and reputation to aid in campaigns to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, poverty and racism in other countries throughout the world.

He also created the Desmond Tutu Foundation to support his campaigns and inspire others to create a peace among all (Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation).

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is retired now but his bountiful qualities and accomplishments have inspired many people including Nelson Mandela and F.W de Klerk. (“Tutu wins the Nobel Peace Prize”). He also won many prizes rewarding him for all of his efforts in South African equality: the Lincoln Leadership Prize, Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award, Pacem in Terris Award, and the Gandhi Peace Prize; all great honors (Champions of Human Rights Desmond Tutu).

Desmond Tutu’s qualities of religious faith, foresight, leadership, activism, courage, conciliation and humor were integral in eventually bringing an end to apartheid in South Africa. As a result, his legacy lives on. Desmond Tutu says that the philosophy of the African word Ubuntu which means that everyone is linked. It is said that “what affects one of us affects us all” (Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation). Archbishop Tutu decided that he would live his life standing by Ubuntu, and that was what he did. He is a great believer in the power of forgiveness and that asking for forgiveness and offering it, is part of the journey

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