This Friday marks the 85th birthday of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. One of the most revered religious leaders and social justice activists in the world, Archbishop Tutu was awarded theNobel Peace Prize in 1984for his leadership and work in the campaign to eradicateapartheid in South Africa.
Desmond Mpilo Tutuwas born October 7, 1931 in Klerksdorp, South Africa. When he was 12, his family moved toJohannesburg, South Africa’s largest city. It was an experience there that helped form his future. While standing on a street corner with his mother, a priest walked by and took off his hat in a show of respect to Tutu’s mother. This would have been just another encounter except the considerate priest was white — a significant moment for young Desmond in apartheid South Africa where blacks were regarded inferior. Tutu would later become friends with the priest,Trevor Huddleston. Huddleston believed in racial equality and became a leading voice in the anti-apartheid movement. Tutu’s friendship with Huddleston helped grow hisAnglicanfaith and and influenced his decision to become an Anglican priest.
Desmond Tutu wanted to help people, and he became ateacherwhich is where his passion forsocial justicefirst came into play. After the government changed the curriculum for his black students to lesser than white students and separated the races in all educational facilities (Bantu Education Act of 1953），芭蕾舞短裙和他的同伴抗议，他最终离开了他的立场。1976年，成为主教后Lesotho, Tutu gained international recognition for leadingpeaceful protests of apartheidbringing light to the rights of black South Africans. For encouraging change andreconciliation黑人之间的一个d whites in South Africa, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.
Known as the“politician-preacherman”, Desmond Tutu has never been one to back away from a cause in which he believes, especially those dealing withhuman rights. Despite his retirement in 1996, Archbishop Tutu continues to fight for racial equality around the world. Other causes he champions areHIV/AIDSawareness and eradication in Africa,povertyand income inequality, condemnation ofanti-gay lawsandinterfaith dialogueand inclusion.
To learn more about Desmond Tutu and other human rights activists and/or Nobel Peace Prize winners, visiteLibrary. You will find a wealth of information, both historical and current.
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