Apartheid Explanation
A few things people have said to me lately have made me realize that the history of South Africa is not very well-known. So welcome to my crash course in recent South African History. The dates are fuzzy and the concepts are presented as I understand them, I apologize if I don't have everything exactly spot-on. You probably know all this, but just in case you don't, it's important in understanding any experience of where South Africa is today.
From the 1940s until 1995, a system of racial discrimination was in place in South Africa known as Apartheid. The system classified all South African residents (I'd say citizens, but many were not permitted to vote or have real legal rights) according to their race. "White" denoted people of solely caucasian origin, mostly English or Dutch-descended Afrikaaners. The categories "Asian" and "Indian" were used for immigrants from those areas of the world. "Coloured" referred to people of mixed black and white racial backgrounds, who carefully differentiated themselves from full-blooded "blacks". The system was constructed in a hierarchy, with whites receiving the most benefits and blacks suffering terrible repression and prejudice, including a lack of suffrage and no freedom of mobility. Neighborhoods were strictly divided and people of different races were not supposed to mix with one another in society, education, residence, or employment. All blacks were required to carry "passbooks", which listed where they were allowed to live, work, and travel.
The Apartheid system was constructed out of ignorance and fear. Many whites felt they were superior to people of other races, but they lived in increasing fear that the black majority population would rebel against the system. Thanks to people who were willing to stand up and fight this system of oppression, Apartheid has been brought to an end and a truly democratic government is now in place in South Africa. Yet racial divisions and prejudices are still present in much of South Africa.
For instance, One of the girls who is studying with me is a light-skinned African American. Since she has been here, she has been asked over and over about her racial background. Strangers frequently speak to her in Afrikaans, assuming her to be a member of the South African "coloured" population. She struggles to convince people that she is, in fact, black.
Yet the country has made enormous strides over the last decade. Racial divisions are disappearing and prejudices are being overcome all over the country. However, a new separation is emerging, one based on economic status. South Africa is becoming increasingly economically stratified. There are enormous, million-dollar mansions along the beaches in Cape Town, while the Cape Flats area near the Cape Town airport is filled with miles and miles of land crowded with tiny shacks. I suppose that progress is always made in small steps. As I've watched the achingly slow construction of apartment buildings for people currently living in the informal settlements, I hope every day for improvement. These things come slowly, but at least the work has begun.
From the 1940s until 1995, a system of racial discrimination was in place in South Africa known as Apartheid. The system classified all South African residents (I'd say citizens, but many were not permitted to vote or have real legal rights) according to their race. "White" denoted people of solely caucasian origin, mostly English or Dutch-descended Afrikaaners. The categories "Asian" and "Indian" were used for immigrants from those areas of the world. "Coloured" referred to people of mixed black and white racial backgrounds, who carefully differentiated themselves from full-blooded "blacks". The system was constructed in a hierarchy, with whites receiving the most benefits and blacks suffering terrible repression and prejudice, including a lack of suffrage and no freedom of mobility. Neighborhoods were strictly divided and people of different races were not supposed to mix with one another in society, education, residence, or employment. All blacks were required to carry "passbooks", which listed where they were allowed to live, work, and travel.
The Apartheid system was constructed out of ignorance and fear. Many whites felt they were superior to people of other races, but they lived in increasing fear that the black majority population would rebel against the system. Thanks to people who were willing to stand up and fight this system of oppression, Apartheid has been brought to an end and a truly democratic government is now in place in South Africa. Yet racial divisions and prejudices are still present in much of South Africa.
For instance, One of the girls who is studying with me is a light-skinned African American. Since she has been here, she has been asked over and over about her racial background. Strangers frequently speak to her in Afrikaans, assuming her to be a member of the South African "coloured" population. She struggles to convince people that she is, in fact, black.
Yet the country has made enormous strides over the last decade. Racial divisions are disappearing and prejudices are being overcome all over the country. However, a new separation is emerging, one based on economic status. South Africa is becoming increasingly economically stratified. There are enormous, million-dollar mansions along the beaches in Cape Town, while the Cape Flats area near the Cape Town airport is filled with miles and miles of land crowded with tiny shacks. I suppose that progress is always made in small steps. As I've watched the achingly slow construction of apartment buildings for people currently living in the informal settlements, I hope every day for improvement. These things come slowly, but at least the work has begun.
posted by Lauren at
7:37 PM
3 Comments:
Lauren,
I have enjoyed your weblog so much since you have been gone. I hope you don't mind, I've shared the address with fellow social studies teachers. Your descriptions and explanations are so eloquent and enlightening.
I'm glad this experience has been so wonderful for you. If your sermons are as well written and thoughtful as your "travelogue" your congregations will be very lucky indeed!
Mary
By
Anonymous, at 9:23 PM
Fantastic lesson, and heartbreaking at the same time. It's actually appalling to me that more people DON'T know about this kind of stuff.
By
Anonymous, at 2:01 PM
Lauren,
Just read your latest messages on
"Apartheid" and on the churches that you visited. I'm thankful that Apartheid is no longer practiced. All of us struggle with hunger and poverty in our world when we have so much. We can have a small part with our hunger offerings although it seems such a small thing. Grandmother
By
Anonymous, at 5:54 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home