Bishop Desmond Tutu

Descriptive Essay # 106423

History > African
History > Leaders

Bishop Desmond Tutu

Looks at the life, times and influences of Bishop Desmond Tutu.

1,245 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, although his childhood was described as happy, Desmond Tutu, born in 1931, pointed out years later that racial discrimination resulted in a kind of brainwashing, which taught acceptance of exploitation. In 1958, after the takeover of African education by the government, teacher Tutu left this profession to become an Anglican priest. The paper explores TuTu's political achievements as general secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC), which advocated civil disobedience as a response to racist law. The author relates the core of Tutu's personal theology and philosophy, which transformed his society.

From the Paper:

"In the late 1970s, Tutu began calling for international economic pressure on South Africa, and continued his support of sanctions throughout the 1980s. In June 1980 Tutu met with R. W. Botha on behalf of the SACC to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation. Tutu based his appeal to the government on four points: a commitment to common citizenship for all South Africans, the abolition of pass laws, the end of forced relocation, and a uniform education system. The discussion did not progress very far, and future meetings collapsed due to government inflexibility. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Allen, John, Rabble-Rouser for Peace: The Authorized Biography of Desmond Tutu, Free Press, 2006
De Klerk, B.J., Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu: Living Icons Of Reconciliation. Ecumenical Review vol. 55 no. 4, 2003, pp. 322-334
Mungazi, Dickson A. In the Footsteps of the Masters: Desmond M. Tutu and Abel T. Muzorewa, Praeger, 2000