Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass for me and so many others. A universal spirit, Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere. pic.twitter.com/qiiwtw8a5B
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 26, 2021
It’s Never Too Late For Festivus!
gwangung
Rest in power, sir.
Professor Bigfoot
I will mourn for his loss; but I am most grateful that this man lived.
Yutsano
Everyone focused more on Nelson Mandela, but Archbishop Desmond Tutu also did great work ending the apartheid regime in South Africa. I think, though, the small stories will be the ones that will have the strongest resonance. Rest in power doesn’t seem sufficient for this great man.
Emma from Miami
The world is a little darker today as we mourn. Tomorrow we should use his example to keep fighting.
Suzanne
I got to see him speak at a conference about 12 years ago. He was incredible and inspiring (as expected) but also surprisingly charming and funny. I am thankful for his life. May his memory be a blessing.
Bex
“I would not worship a God who is homophobic…I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven…I would rather go to the other place. I am as passionate about this campaign as I ever was about apartheid.”–Abp Desmond Tutu.
debbie
@Professor Bigfoot:
Esp. for his work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Overnight, the BBC ran audio clips from the hearings and they were harrowing. I don’t know how I got back to sleep.
prostratedragon
He was invaluable to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It took both grace and courage to walk with the victims back through that horror for so many months.
LiminalOwl
@Suzanne: I never saw him, but I had the privilege of hearing his daughter Naomi Nontombi Tutu, who seems to be a worthy successor. (And was one of my favorite speakers at that organization’s annual conferences, though bell hooks tops the list.)
Mike in NC
I’m about to go read Dave Barry’s Review of 2021 in today’s Washington Post.
CaseyL
We’re so lucky – particularly, South Africa was lucky – to have him. Rest in peace and power, dear sir.
Felanius Kootea
Thank you Watergirl!
Rest In Peace Desmond Tutu. I always remember a quote of his. Paraphrasing, it’s that forgiving is not forgetting, it’s remembering and deciding not to retaliate, so you have a chance at a new (better) beginning. Powerful words from an amazing man.
Bex
Miss Bianca
@Felanius Kootea:
Damn. Now those are some words I will always need to hear. RIP, Desmond Tutu.
Dan B
He told a story of being in a “mixed” race church service in the countryside. The military surrounded the church and blocked the exits. He called to them to “join us” because we are winning. Most everyone was terrified.
laura
A great man has earned his rest. Joy and rigor in pursuing justice and forgiveness, humanity and love in action, his deeds; large and small; remembered are a fitting tribute to a long and fully lived life.
Tehanu
@Professor Bigfoot:
He was a real Christian, not one of the Mammon-worshipers flaunting their hate, greed, and selfishness who claim Christianity today.
prostratedragon
“Welcome Home (Praise Song),” Abdullah Ibrahim
zhena gogolia
@Bex: wow beautiful. That’s how I feel
Tazj
@Bex: That’s a wonderful quote. I hadn’t seen it until today.
mali muso
An amazing man. I had the good fortune to see him speak once at a nearby university. The energy and sheer joy emanating from his compact frame was electrifying. And his giggle! He was radiant. Rest in power, sir.
Another Scott
A good man and a life well lived. It’s hard to imagine him doing more good with his time.
ObOpenThread – more bad news for Biden and Democrats…
Cheers,
Scott.
Mike in NC
Don’t expect the Beltway boobs to dwell much on that inconvenient bit of news.
rikyrah
Rest in Power???
AxelFoley
Rest Well, Archbishop. ??????
BigJimSlade
@Mike in NC: So, how was it?
Tinare
I shook his hand after a speech he gave at my university more than 30 years ago. He was warm and kind to all in the room. Truly a good soul.
Bagel J
Longtime lurker, rare commentator. I was a 10 year old white, suburban Lutheran whose parents took him to a church conference. A featured speaker was a black, Lutheran South African pastor living in exile. I learned about apartheid and other horrors of the world. It was a powerful experience that influenced how I see the world. I thank him for his service, love, and advocacy. A true light to remember for these dark days.