Today we learned that Archbishop Desmond Tutu who played a pivotal role in the fight against Apartheid in South Africa passed away at 90. News Organizations, including many in the United States, have written extensively celebrating and honoring Tutu’s life. This includes CNN, The New York Times, The Hill, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
The news, analysis, and commentary about Tutu’s life have been mostly positive, telling the story of his focus on social justice, truth, and reconciliation.
Many of our African communities encapsulate the sentiments that reflect the challenges the people in South Africa experienced under white minority rule. As I scoured social media to see what others were saying, the thoughts of Ghislain Atanga, a student at the University of Bamenda in Cameroon caught my attention.
Atanga stated: “Bishop Desmond Tutu takes a well deserved rest at 90. I celebrate your life and mourn not your loss but for humanity. Sleep calm sir.”
He ended his comments with an emoji expressing love for the fallen giant.