I have two images of Desmond Tutu. One, from television, is Tutu collapsed in tears, fully broken, as he absorbed devastating stories told during the South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The other is the image attached here, which I took on the front lawn of the Ontario legislature in May 1986. I was 17 and in grade 11.
My grade 11 English teacher began every class with a word of the day. One day, the word was "apartheid." I believe it was the first time I'd ever encountered it. I thought, WTF. Then suddenly, the word seemed to be prominent, everywhere, and Desmond Tutu was coming to town.
In May 1986, Toronto's streets filled for a march, a parade against apartheid. The march ended at the Ontario legislature. I skipped the march, because I wanted to be close to the podium, so I could get my photograph.
From Google, I see that Tutu spoke to the legislature on May 30, 1986. The march/rally was the previous day (see link to CBC story below).
The narrative of peace and freedom that Tutu spoke about that day, still rings in my ears.
Links:
CBC radio story - May 29, 1986
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1720718888
Ontario Legislature (Hansard) - May 30, 1986
https://www.ola.org/…/parliame…/session-2/1986-05-30/hansard
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