How Did Desmond Tutu Fight Against Apartheid
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Emily Calder
Mrs. Walter
Honors English 10
22 September 2014
Desmond Tutu and his role in Apartheid
Desmond Tutu said, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the
side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” If a person believes something is wrong they must fight to change it. Just as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu had also fought against apartheid. Desmond had preached for reconciliation between the parties of apartheid, and he had gained the full support of the churches behind him. After apartheid was ended Desmond retired as Archbishop of Cape Town, but he still contributed to the nation. Desmond Tutu had an …show more content…
interesting childhood which affected him helping during and after apartheid to help South Africa.
Desmond’s childhood was segregated and he understood that he was treated worse than the white children because of his skin color. Desmond recalls walking with his mother when a white man, who was a priest, tipped his hat at his mother (“Desmond Mpilo Tutu”). This was the first sign of respect that he had seen a white man give a black women. This incident made a huge impression on Tutu, making him realize that he didn’t have to take the discrimination he received. He also recognized that the church was a powerful tool for speaking his mind on racial equality. Desmond became the first Anglican Dean of Johannesburg in 1975, then was appointed
Bishop of Lesotho, and later Archbishop of Cape Town. He was known as a campaigner for reform since the start of his religious career (“Profile: Archbishop Desmond Tutu”). He
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eventually was pushed into the political side of things rather than religious, but he managed to combine the two, which led him to being able to stand up even more against apartheid.
During apartheid Desmond continued to campaign against segregation and discrimination. In March of 1988 he declared, “We refuse to be treated as the doormat for the government to wipe its jackboots on” (“Profile: Archbishop Desmond Tutu”). Desmond was saying that the black people of South Africa will not take the discrimination anymore and would stand up against it. Desmond Tutu played a quiet role but drew large amounts of attention from nations around the world including Great Britain, France, and the United States of America.
Desmond had arranged a boycott of government elections, risking jail time (“Desmond Tutu
Biography”).
Tutu had organized several peaceful protests with the help of Nelson Mandela, but for Tutu the protests weren’t enough. After Desmond had become bishop, he had the power to impact peoples beliefs on a high level. Even after apartheid ended Desmond still makes a difference in the world.
Desmond Tutu, in 1984, received a Nobel Peace Prize for “not only as a gesture of support to him and to the South African Council of Churches of which he is leader, but also to all individuals and groups in South Africa who, with their concern for human dignity, fraternity and democracy, incite the admiration of the world” (“Desmond Tutu Biography”). He was later elected Archbishop of Cape Town, placing him at the head of the Anglican Church of South
Africa. After Nelson Mandela was elected president, Desmond was appointed to take care of the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In the late 2000’s, Tutu and Jimmy Carter traveled to
Darfur, Gaza, and Cyprus in effort to help resolve longlasting conflicts. Desmond Tutu had cofounded a group called the Elders, comprised of Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan, and
Mary
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Robinson (“Desmond Tutu Biography”). This group of past government officials had a goal of resolution and problemsolving. After seven years The Elders are still spreading the message of peace throughout the world.
In conclusion, Desmond Tutu had done a lot to help South Africa before, during, and after apartheid. Desmond had recognized segregation as a child, but saw an act of kindness that gave him hope. During apartheid, Desmond Tutu had worked with Nelson Mandela to organize peaceful riots and he also worked with the church to speak his mind. After apartheid ended
Desmond worked with others to speak of peace and reconciliation, and is still working towards peace and problem solving. Desmond Tutu worked towards a change in society because he saw the wrongness in how the black people in South Africa were being treated.
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Cited Sources
"Desmond Mpilo Tutu."
Bio.com
. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.
(“Desmond Mpilo Tutu”)
"Desmond Tutu Biography."
Academy of Achievement
. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014.
(“Desmond Tutu Biography”)
"Profile: Archbishop Desmond Tutu."
BBC News
. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.
(“Profile: Archbishop Desmond Tutu”)
Emily Calder
Mrs. Walter
Honors English 10
22 September 2014
Desmond Tutu and his role in Apartheid
Desmond Tutu said, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the
side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” If a person believes something is wrong they must fight to change it. Just as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu had also fought against apartheid. Desmond had preached for reconciliation between the parties of apartheid, and he had gained the full support of the churches behind him. After apartheid was ended Desmond retired as Archbishop of Cape Town, but he still contributed to the nation. Desmond Tutu had an …show more content…
interesting childhood which affected him helping during and after apartheid to help South Africa.
Desmond’s childhood was segregated and he understood that he was treated worse than the white children because of his skin color. Desmond recalls walking with his mother when a white man, who was a priest, tipped his hat at his mother (“Desmond Mpilo Tutu”). This was the first sign of respect that he had seen a white man give a black women. This incident made a huge impression on Tutu, making him realize that he didn’t have to take the discrimination he received. He also recognized that the church was a powerful tool for speaking his mind on racial equality. Desmond became the first Anglican Dean of Johannesburg in 1975, then was appointed
Bishop of Lesotho, and later Archbishop of Cape Town. He was known as a campaigner for reform since the start of his religious career (“Profile: Archbishop Desmond Tutu”). He
Calder 2
eventually was pushed into the political side of things rather than religious, but he managed to combine the two, which led him to being able to stand up even more against apartheid.
During apartheid Desmond continued to campaign against segregation and discrimination. In March of 1988 he declared, “We refuse to be treated as the doormat for the government to wipe its jackboots on” (“Profile: Archbishop Desmond Tutu”). Desmond was saying that the black people of South Africa will not take the discrimination anymore and would stand up against it. Desmond Tutu played a quiet role but drew large amounts of attention from nations around the world including Great Britain, France, and the United States of America.
Desmond had arranged a boycott of government elections, risking jail time (“Desmond Tutu
Biography”).
Tutu had organized several peaceful protests with the help of Nelson Mandela, but for Tutu the protests weren’t enough. After Desmond had become bishop, he had the power to impact peoples beliefs on a high level. Even after apartheid ended Desmond still makes a difference in the world.
Desmond Tutu, in 1984, received a Nobel Peace Prize for “not only as a gesture of support to him and to the South African Council of Churches of which he is leader, but also to all individuals and groups in South Africa who, with their concern for human dignity, fraternity and democracy, incite the admiration of the world” (“Desmond Tutu Biography”). He was later elected Archbishop of Cape Town, placing him at the head of the Anglican Church of South
Africa. After Nelson Mandela was elected president, Desmond was appointed to take care of the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In the late 2000’s, Tutu and Jimmy Carter traveled to
Darfur, Gaza, and Cyprus in effort to help resolve longlasting conflicts. Desmond Tutu had cofounded a group called the Elders, comprised of Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan, and
Mary
Calder 3
Robinson (“Desmond Tutu Biography”). This group of past government officials had a goal of resolution and problemsolving. After seven years The Elders are still spreading the message of peace throughout the world.
In conclusion, Desmond Tutu had done a lot to help South Africa before, during, and after apartheid. Desmond had recognized segregation as a child, but saw an act of kindness that gave him hope. During apartheid, Desmond Tutu had worked with Nelson Mandela to organize peaceful riots and he also worked with the church to speak his mind. After apartheid ended
Desmond worked with others to speak of peace and reconciliation, and is still working towards peace and problem solving. Desmond Tutu worked towards a change in society because he saw the wrongness in how the black people in South Africa were being treated.
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Cited Sources
"Desmond Mpilo Tutu."
Bio.com
. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.
(“Desmond Mpilo Tutu”)
"Desmond Tutu Biography."
Academy of Achievement
. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014.
(“Desmond Tutu Biography”)
"Profile: Archbishop Desmond Tutu."
BBC News
. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.
(“Profile: Archbishop Desmond Tutu”)