After achieving a tough but successful struggle for the freedom of people in your own country, the fight continues to set people free around the world.
That is perhaps one way to summarize the goal and mindset of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the legendary human rights activist best known for his crucial role in breaking down apartheid, the rigid system of racial segregation in South Africa that lasted from 1948 to 1990.
Since South Africa’s transformation into a more equal society, Tutu, now retired from his administrative clerical duties, has continued his worldwide ministry of speaking out against injustice and promoting love for all of humanity.
Rev. Angelique Walker-Smith, executive director of the Church Federation of Indianapolis, was among the more than 2,000 guests who saw Tutu’s recent appearance at Clowes Memorial Hall on the campus of Butler University.
“It was amazing and remarkable,” said Walker-Smith. “Bishop Tutu has this great gift of humor and levity. He knows how to lift people and edify them with his humor, but in the middle of it all he’s taking you to another place. He has a gift that is life-changing.”
Tutu spoke at the university to help celebrate the launch of the new Desmond Tutu Center, the first and only academic center in North America named after him.
Tutu began by asking for moments of silence to mark the anniversaries of the Sept. 11 terror attacks and the Sept. 12, 1977, death of South African Black student leader Steve Biko in police custody.
His remarks throughout the evening demonstrated the style that has made him a popular world figure, with his address being more like a conversation than a lecture.
Tutu often utilized his trademark humor, telling City-County Council President Maggie Lewis, “Thank you for the police escort. It’s so wonderful not to have the police chasing you.”
Mentioning his age, Tutu, 81, said, “As you can see, I am decrepit. I’m at the age where … you tell the same story, and sometimes you tell it to the person who first told you.”
Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for encouraging non-violent ways to fight the evils of apartheid. He chose to take other bold measures, such as speak before the United Nations in 1986 to call for sanctions against the South African government.
Tutu said he continues to be thankful for the help of Americans who supported the sanctions, which were passed by Congress over the veto of President Ronald Reagan.
“You Americans are some of the most generous people God ever created,” Tutu said.
Speaking on current events, Tutu made it clear that he opposes military intervention in Syria, praising those who have reservations about taking that course of action.
“I salute the American people because they learned a lesson in 2003, and the majority don’t want military intervention (in Syria now).”
Although firmly committed to biblical principles as a cleric, Tutu showed that he continues to uphold a progressive social theology, saying Christ wants to draw all people to him, regardless of race, socio-economic status, religion, and even sexual orientation.
“Remember, when Jesus predicted his coming again in the fourth Gospel, he says, ‘If I am lifted up, I will draw – he didn’t say some – he said, I will draw all. All in this incredible, divine embrace, where no one is left out.”
Recalling his roots as an Episcopal priest, Tutu said the Bible is a powerful way to enlighten oppressed people.
“In a situation of injustice and oppression, the last thing you ought to give to the oppressed is a Bible,” he said. “It is one of the most revolutionary things you ever can have.”
Operated jointly by Butler and Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), the Desmond Tutu Center will focus on leadership development in social justice and reconciliation, as well as ways to build international relationships and interfaith unity.
South African anti-apartheid activist and cleric Allan Boesak, a longtime colleague and friend of Tutu’s, will serve as the center’s first director.
Boesak said Tutu’s greatest gift is that he could often see things others could not see.
“He could see hope where others could only see darkness and despair,” Boesak said. “He could see cracks in the concrete wall of apartheid where others could only see that solid wall. He could see possibilities and reconciliation where others could only see hate and alienation.”
Officials from Butler and CTS, are excited about the center named in Tutu’s honor and believe it will advance both the institutions’ goals and his legacy.
“We believe the center will help raise the profile of Indianapolis as a truly international city that innovatively pursues ways in which our deepest commitments can help bring us together for the sake of the city, state and world,” CTS President Matthew Myer Bouton said.
James Danko, Butler’s president, noted that the center is in a good position to carry Tutu’s legacy, saying, “Indianapolis provides a distinctive setting in which the richness of Tutu’s life and work – religious, inclusive, prophetic and reconciling – may be carried forward into the 21st century.”
For more about the Desmond Tutu Center’s programs, thoughts from Allan Boesak and the goals of Butler University and Christian Theological Seminary, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
