"How fortunate are the dead" -- Dennis Brutus dead at 85

December 28, 2009 7:12 AM

Noted anti-apartheid activist and poet Dennis Brutus has died.

Brutus was imprisoned in South Africa along with Mandela for his outspoken criticism of the apartheid regime, and later continued to be critical of the ANC. One of his last poems was about the then upcoming UN climate summit in Copenhagen.

posted by Burhanistan (11 comments total)

Tribute and some poems of Brutus.
posted by Burhanistan at 7:16 AM on December 28, 2009

Poems from 2002
posted by Burhanistan at 7:18 AM on December 28, 2009

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One of my professors in college. What the articles about his courage amid the struggle will fail to mention is his kindness and endless patience and generosity, even to first-year college students who had a lot to learn.
posted by el_lupino at 7:32 AM on December 28, 2009

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A brave man, a very good poet.
posted by bearwife at 9:18 AM on December 28, 2009

although inadequate, I offer my

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posted by Edward L at 10:09 AM on December 28, 2009

I got to know Brutus during some of my anti-war activities in Pittsburgh. He was an amazing guy and I'm terribly sorry to see this.

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posted by allen.spaulding at 11:05 AM on December 28, 2009

A long, rich, meaningful life is over and I feel grateful to Brutus for all he did for so many.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:12 PM on December 28, 2009

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posted by lupus_yonderboy at 4:41 PM on December 28, 2009

I attended one of his readings ten or fifteen years ago; I appreciated his work and his presence. Were there more like him in this world.
posted by kozad at 6:57 PM on December 28, 2009

Ii regret I only got to know him through obits this week. What a fierce, fierce guy.

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posted by salishsea at 10:20 AM on December 29, 2009

Oh, damn.

He lived a life of meaning.

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posted by rtha at 9:49 AM on December 30, 2009