National Service Express Tour ‘08

Please alert your friends and refresh often!

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Evening Session- “Making friends out of your enemies”

That’s the end of the evening.  Check back later for a recap and reaction from Tutu’s dual appearance in Minneapolis.  

Question on Bush’s world legacy.  Tutu: “You really want to know.  Let me tell you.  I’m not… yes, well.  I was going to name drop.  I lunched with Mrs. Bush.  She’s quite something else.  On Burma, she is fantastic.  When I spoke with your Sec. of State, on the issue of Burma, the U.S. is on the side of the angels.  Many people will remember Laura Bush on the issue of Burma.  How’s that.”  Tutu waltzes off stage.  Perfect answer to that question.  

One last question: YAH! (Tutu)

Question about Obama and Clinton running, is America ready for an African American or women president?                                                                     Race is still an issue for many Americans, as well as Native Americans, but despite this, the country can produce a credible African American question.  ”There are many, many good things about you (America).”  Tutu can’t stop laughing at his own joke! 

Interesting comment on the “human right situation” that has developed.  An example: the view of women throughout the world and how women are now recognized as equals.  Tutu is amazing in his ability to find a glimmer of hope in dire situations.  Even small steps provide hope to all in efforts of struggle.  

Tutu is speaking about the politics of forgiveness and the politics of revenge, in relation to Zimbabwe.  He expresses regret at the change in the leader of Zimbabwe, leading to the current problems.  He hopes President Mugabe steps down “with dignity.”

Q1: Someone once said, you can be seized by joy at any moment?                  Tutu: AH! Life is fun.

“An enemy is a friend, waiting to be made.  An enemy is really a member of my family.  When I look, I don’t see a white person, an African American, a Native American, I do not see, I do not see, I do not see.  I see my sister, my brother, members of my family.  And I know, that I will not be able to enter heaven, without them.”  Another standing ovation for Tutu to end his lecture.  Now onto the Q&A. 

It’s a privilege when one puts money in someone’s hat on the street, because they are a member of the human family.   

Tutu gets applause when he mentions the inclusion of “gay, lesbian, so called straight” in the human community.  Lots of laughter when he adds “…George Bush.”  His point is there are no enemies, no one excluded in a family.  He gives the example of a baby, who only contributes laughs and peculiar smells, but is still included.  ”To each, according to their ability; to each, according to their need.”

Tutu is speaking once again on the massive amounts of money that’s put into defense budgets/military weaponry.  Similar point as this morning.  The audience is equally receptive to the idea of using that money for providing necessities to people around the world.  

Ubuntu- “The essence of being human.  A person is a person through other persons.  We are caught up in the bundle of life.  We are made for family.”  When this is forgotten, things go terribly wrong.  

Recounting the story of God finding Adam a partner.  When Adam sees Eve, “Wow.  This is what the doctor ordered.”  He says the point of the story is that you, and I, can’t be complete in isolation.  ”We are unable to walk, eat, think, or to be human, except by learning it from other human beings.  I need you, in order to be me.”  Another version of  the ubuntu story.

Tutu thanks the hosts to start his public lecture.  He warns the audience that he may be repeating himself this evening, and asks for kindness from those who have heard his stories before.  A story of a woman meeting him, “Hello Archbishop Mandela. (Laughter). Sort of two for the price of one.”

Very impressive resume of Archbishop Tutu.  A standing ovation to start the evening for him.  

Tutu taught high school in South Africa before he began fighting for the rights of black Africans under Apartheid.  He became a priest in 1960 and moved into a leadership role in the fight against Apartheid.  He won the Noble Peace Prize in honor of all South Africans who were fighting for their freedom.  He later led the Truth and Reconciliation Committee in South Africa, avoiding the urge of vengeance but instead strived for healing.

Metropolitan State University President William J. Lowe is providing opening remarks and an introduction to Archbishop Tutu (known as “the Arch”, or “Arch deluxe” by friends).  Metropolitan State University, St. Paul Campus is hosting PeaceJam in Minneapolis this week.  The event also includes a number of local elected officials and leaders in the community.

PeaceJam’s “Global Call to Action” is the plan from 14 Noble Laureates and teenagers tackling the toughest problems on the planet.  It’ll be released in a book by Penguin Publisher and a PBS TV special.  They’ll be launching the plan in Los Angeles September 11-13 2008.

Archbishop Tutu married the co-founders of PeaceJam in South Africa 8 years ago.  Very cool.

youthrive, based in Minneapolis, works to partner youth and adults into making change in their communities.  PeaceJam pairs youth with Peace Laureates to work towards acts of peace.

PeaceJam, youthrive, and Metropolitan State University President’s Lecture Featuring Archbishop Desmond Tutu.  Stay tune for the second half of a doubleheader of live blogging!

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Morning Session

Matt and Taylor are closing the morning session.  Matt and I will be adding to the blog throughout the day with updates from the workshops.  Thanks for joining us!

Tutu forgot to award a group of youth and adults other awards.  He’s not sure what award they’re getting, but they’re all getting hugs on stage from the Archbishop.  

Tutu is awarding the Harris Wofford award from Youth Service America, making service and service-learning possible for youth in America.  The morning plenary session ends with another standing ovation for Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Tutu is introducing the founders of PeaceJam, whose idea was to ask as many Noble Peace Laureates to be the board.  Crazy, says Tutu.  Yet 14 Peace Laureates are now on the board of PeaceJam.

Tutu is encouraging all the young people in the audience to “dream, dreams”, continue working for change, be idealist.  He points out the many young people who go throughout the world to help those in need.  ”It’s possible to eradicate poverty (applause), it’s possible to join other young people… and say, make poverty history.  You dream of a world, where war is no more (applause).  You are people who say … why do we spend billions on instruments on death and destruction (applause).  We could, using, a very small fraction on those budgets of death, when we know children could have clean water to drink, food to eat, a decent home, a decent education… Would be able to play in safety and security.  God says, I have a dream, much like Dr. King says.  I have a dream, of a new kind of world.  And I have no one, except you, and you, and you, and you, to help me realize my dream.  Please.  Please. Please, help me, help me, help me.  Youth for change.” (Standing ovation)

Tutu has just waved his “magic wand” across the audience and turned us all into South Africans… we’ve just been converted back to our “former selves.”  

Tutu takes a moment to thank the audience (especially the youth) for their support.

He was also inspired by student movements for divestments at universities, leading the end of Apartheid.

South Africa has been free for 14 years, Tutu is recounting stories of the fight against Apartheid.  During the struggle, Tutu traveled to the U.S. to garner support for their cause, and was moved by the actions of individuals who worked for their cause; similar to the actions for Tibet today.

Tutu is continuing to give examples of “Youth for Change” throughout history, drawing on saints and religious figures of the past.  Another example given of “Youth for Change” include the student demonstrations against the Vietnam War in the 60s.

Recounting the story of the Virgin Mary first talk with the archangel.  ”I’m a decent girl… try next door.”

Tutu proclaims: “None of us is an accident… although some of us may look like accidents.”  The audience is loving it.

Archbishop Tutu is opening his remarks with examples of children playing the role of God’s collaborator.  ”Youth… for change.”  One example he gives is David v. Goliath.

God has used young people to be God’s collaborators, God’s partner…

He says he’s not as young as he looks.  A school was named after him at the school’s 400th anniversary.  He says that a young student asked him if he was around when the school was founded.  Laughter.

He just asked Serena to come out.  He gave her a kiss.

Standing ovation for Archbishop Tutu.  He has a great sense of humor.  He’s asking the crowd to say good morning with more passion that the first time.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is being introduced.

She gets a standing ovation.  Phenomenal.

A soloist is performing, as well.  Her name is Dawn Padmore.  They’re a great team.

Inspiration for Serena:  “Shine from where you are, your voice must be heard…”

Serena Lu, a fifth grade student, has prepared a piece on piano especially for Archbishop Tutu.  Here is Serena performing another song, another day…  

There will be another performance (billed as an “appetizer”) before Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s remarks (”the main dish”).

Wokie Weah, Vice President of the National Youth Leadership Council, is telling us about tonight’s event - the 2008 Gathering of the Elders.

Gathering of Elders
Hilton Hotel: Symphony Ballroom, 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

Community elders have shown extraordinary wisdom and originality as teachers and counselors of change. Their life lessons are contained in philosophies, oral histories, and ceremonies, handed from one generation to the next. Their symbolic connection to the past help us remember who we are, why we serve, and what we must do to change the world. In this special gathering honoring the National Youth Leadership Council’s 25th Anniversary, elders from five different cultural backgrounds speak from their traditions and life experiences about youth, change, service and leadership.

Taylor says the focus of today’s session is social justice and empowering young people to “Be the Change” (the theme of this week’s conference). 

Matt Amy and Taylor Reed, students, are MCs for today’s event.  Matt and Taylor highlight each others’ involvement in student activities, hobbies, etc.. 

The crowd loves it.  The performers are leaving the stage.

The dancers are doing some spoken word centered around the theme of PEACE.

A high energy dance number kicks off the program. 

A moment of silence was held in honor of Bernard.

We are learning that Bernard Gill passed away last night. 

Sponsors of the National Service-Learning Conference include State Farm Insurance, Best Buy, Carlson, the Corporation for National & Community Service, Learn & Servce, Shinnyo-en Foundation, Target, Travelers, and the University of Minnesota. 

Tutu took the first steps, as Chairman of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, in ministering to wounds left behind.  He continues to speak out on justice, peace, and reconciliation world-wide.

Tutu’s faith in and commitment to the peaceful destiny of South Africa earned him the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize.

3,000-seat auditorium.  Beautiful space.  Last night, Soul Asylum played here.

Our new friends Rose and Doc from Kentucky (sitting next to us here in the Convention Center Auditorium) just told us that Tutu is speaking tomorrow at a prison.  Very cool.