Maxiavelli: Desmond Tutu Cannot Manipulate Me

Desmond Tutu (source: biography.com)

I refuse to be manipulated by Desmond Tutu.

The former Anglican Bishop is an activist who stands up for the oppressed and fights against racism, poverty, sexism and AIDS. During his career as a humanitarian he managed to collect several prizes and awards (Nobel Peace Prize, in 1984; Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, in 1986; Pacem in Terris Award, in 1987; Sydney Peace Prize, in 1999; Gandhi Peace Prize, in 2007; and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2009); however, in 2012, he voided the meaning of those awards (i.e. world peace) when he associated himself with racist terrorists - Ahmad Abu Halabiya and Zaher Birawi, members of Hamas - who stand up for the opposite of what Mr Tutu claims to defend.

South Africa, in the past, was tarnished by the apartheid (i.e. separation of the races; prohibition of mixed marriages [it was a criminal offence to even have sexual relations with someone of a different race]; separate amenities [separate parks, beaches, bathrooms, hospital wards, restaurants, buses etc for each race]; prohibition of communism [read: opposition to government]; separate education system; divesting "people of colour" and Asians of the right to vote etc) from 1948 to 1994.
South Africa, today, is tarnished by violence; for instance: children's genitalia are used in witchcraft to bring good luck; little girls are raped to cure HIV; lesbians are raped so they can be "corrected"; and a Mozambican taxi driver can be handcuffed to a police van and be dragged to death.

Former Christian Bishop Tutu's political stance is more ambiguous than that of the average politician's: he supports Israel's right to defend herself (because it is proper to repeat this political mantra) but at the same time he propagandistically accuses Israel of exercising apartheid (because this sort of lie is what opens the doors to certain groups, conferences and awards). He fights against sexism, racism, poverty and AIDS, but we don't see him being more vocal against what is going on in his own country where racial divide continues; where 10% of the population has AIDS; where the number of little girls (between 10 and 14 years old) who get pregnant and infected with the HIV virus is increasing, by the minute, because of their relationship with "sugar daddies"; where a segment of the South African society believes they own women and children; and where a citizen on his way home is attacked with a machete because a couple of criminals want to steal the grilled chicken he just bought.

Until Desmond Tutu sets his priorities straight, I refuse to be manipulated by him.

Let's rewind a bit to a lie that Desmond Tutu created and, others unquestioningly repeat: Israel is an apartheid state...

Any informed, unbiased, human being would beg to differ: there is no apartheid in Israel, because there is no separation of races there (by the way, check Miss Israel 2013 out); in Eretz Yisrael it's not a criminal offence to have sexual relations with people of different races; there are no separate amenities in Israel (in fact, it is quite common to see Arab, black, Asian and fair skinned women giving birth next to each other in Israeli hospitals); any political ideology and party are welcome in the Jewish State (including the Arab parties that serve foreign interests despite sitting in the Knesset); and every Israeli citizen, of any colour and shape, has the right to vote (as recognised by the PA and the Arab League themselves).

Desmond Tutu and others are more than free to sympathise with the Palestinian Cause; but at least they should do it with dignity: be minimally truthful, by using facts; have the courage to admit the flawed Palestinian leadership and help Palestinians prove they can actually build a nation by making a proper use of their donated funds. Making inaccurate, inflammatory and populist remarks is not the way to help - that is, if indeed Mr Tutu is concerned with the Palestinians and not merely using them as a means of self-promotion.

For all of the above (and more), I declare that Desmond Tutu cannot manipulate me. Can he manipulate you?