Before Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962, he was an angry, relatively young man. He founded the ANC's military wing. When he was released, he surprised everyone because he was talking about reconciliation and forgiveness and not about revenge.
Desmond TutuNaming a center after a person who is still alive can make it seem that an individual somehow on their own was able to accomplish what he accomplished.
Desmond TutuThe abolition of the death penalty is making us a civilized society. It shows we actually do mean business when we say we have reverence for life.
Desmond TutuFor goodness sake, will they hear, will white people hear what we are trying to say? Please, all we are asking you to do is to recognize that we are humans, too.
Desmond TutuIn the land of my birth I cannot vote, whereas a young person of eighteen can vote. And why? Because he or she possesses that wonderful biological attribute - a white skin.
Desmond TutuThe things [Pope Francis] has done in a short period of time: the fact that he does not live in a huge papal mansion and just dropped by in the dining room where ordinary people have meals. You think of his background, where he didn't use limousines in South America, that he used public transport.
Desmond Tutu