Following Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu’s recent death, in reading an article about his funeral, I was stopped by its description of him as “diminutive.” Casting my memory back to our evening with him, I had to concentrate to recall that, yes, he was a short man, but his presence was immense, emanating love, humor, and inspiration.
The occasion was Independent’s 2008 Gala for Liberty, at which we bestowed the Alexis de Tocqueville Award on three extraordinary men: the venture capitalist/venture philanthropist William K. Bowes, Jr.; the musician/actor/director and champion for Cuban freedom Andy Garcia; and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The Alexis de Tocqueville
