Desmond Tutu- A True Hero

Desmond Tutu- A True Hero

            Imagine what it would have been like to live in a society where you couldn't go to same college as others- a place where you couldn't drink from the same water fountain, or even use the same restroom.  Why did all this segregation begin? Skin color was different. For Africans whose rights were denied and didn't get the same opportunities South Africans got- this was reality. A man named Desmond Tutu, different from the ordinary, stood up to this injustice and managed to achieve what others couldn't. Who would dream that a regular man, born on October 7^th, 1931 in Klerksdorp, South Africa would change lives of thousands of people? "He attended Johannesburg High School. Although he planned to become a physician, his parents could not afford to send him to medical school. When the government ordained a deliberately inferior system of education for black students, Desmond Tutu refused to cooperate. He could no longer work as a teach due to the restrictions; however, he had the vision to do something to improve the life of his disfranchised people." (Academy Of Achievement)" This minor incentive of doing following whats right brought Desmond Tutu to what he is today, an archbishop, leader, elected chair of  the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and a hero. Desmond Tutu grew up with insufficient amount of money, but it didn't bother him. Instead, he accepted the circumstances and adapted to what his parents were capable of giving. He could not become a teacher because of apartheid; however, Desmond Tutu glanced beyond limits and decided to speak out against injustice. He demonstrated integrity, or following what morally or ethically correct. With his selflessness and non-violent protests, Desmond Tutu conquered his goal and never let anything get in his way of achieving his goal. Apart from helping needy people under difficult circumstances, Desmond Tutu peacefully gave speeches arguing against discrimination and acting as a light for Africans trapped in apartheid; therefore, he deserves recognition as a hero because of his integrity, peaceful personality, and selflessness.

Desmond Tutu's integrity is one of his most prevalent heroic traits. His adherence to ethical principles helped restore peace, order, and love. "He went to Boston, Massachusetts and implored Jewish people to challenge what he called Israeli oppression of Palestinians" (Benson) Tutu portrayed true hero traits because he sacrificed education and time, to help others stand up for themselves. "During a press conference, Tutu criticized the Israeli government for brutality and what he described as "gross violations of human rights." (Paulson). The idea that he thought of this as a "gross violation of humanity," sustains that Tutu had a compassionate personality, almost as if he could feel the pain they were enduring. Throughout Israel, oppression of Palestinians occurred commonly throughout this time. Desmond Tutu mustered courage, sacrifice, and dedication to stand up for what's right. He used peaceful protest through speeches to fight against the Israeli domination upon Palestinians. He never surrendered from his mission even though there were consequences that might result in when you challenge an authoritative system, such as the Israeli government. Desmond Tutu was an honorable man because of his actions where he stood up for the truth and right which helped him become what he is today. Tutu earned himself the recognition of a hero because he portrayed integrity- a desirable trait not everyone possesses. 

Desmond Tutu's most relevant quality is his peaceful personality.  Unlike other Civil rights leaders, Desmond Tutu used non-violence to successfully accomplish his mission to end apartheid. "While general secretary of the South African Council of Churches, he was an outspoken campaigner against apartheid and he earned the Nobel Peace prize for his non-violent advocacy of reform." (Wikipedia.org) Desmond Tutu deserves acknowledgment as a hero because he helped end apartheid through non-violence and uses his own will-power to motivate his actions. It shows he did not favor violence; a personality strong leaders had possessed. Tutu once said, "You must show the world that you abhor fighting."( Desmond Tutu) Through his peaceful protests, Desmond Tutu changed the government which supported racial segregation and changed the lives of Africans. However, Tutu accomplished much more. He traveled to many places and helped with many different issues that took place. "Desmond Tutu not only peacefully ended segregation, but also became the voice for the "voiceless" black people who suffered from racial discrimination in South Africa." (Macmillan.) Imagine what it would have been like to live in a place that payed no to attention to equality and ignored human rights because of skin color; A society that opposed humanity. Desmond Tutu changed the perspective towards apartheid that occurred in South Africa to a better civilized nation without picking up a gun. He firmly held his ground and became light for all the blacks who deserved a better lives, conditions, and opportunities. Through Desmond Tutu's non-violent opposition to the injustice, Africans gained freedom without violence and bloodshed unlike circumstances.