After reading a bit about the history of South Africa, I was surprised to find that the Xhosa, or native peoples were treated much like the Native Americans were treated here in the U.S. - stripped of everything they had and kept away in reservations. The discrimination they faced also made me think of the Civil Rights movement - the inability to vote and have political influence, and racial segregation in all public institutions to name a few. The Bantu education that tried to keep the black children at a very low standard is especially appalling to me. (Sidenote: While reading these passages, I came to the realization that African history/current events unfortunately was not something I was taught in high school. Texas history, American history, and sometimes World history (which usually ends up just being European history if that) are the only histories offered, and for someone who never has the chance to go to college, are the only histories they may ever be exposed to. I am a junior in college and this is the first time I have studied African history, a history that even parallels with that of the United States. This is SUCH a problem!) A current event that stuck out to me: on the 24th of January, African leaders met for the African Union summit in Ethiopia to "come up with a clear road map for the development and empowerment of women on the continent as well as a plan to end child marriages." When we here in the U.S. have the luxury of choice concerning marriage, we tend to forget that others are not guaranteed the same luxury. So often, we only pay attention to an important issue that is repeated on the news, and only until another issue arises. We are not pressed to remember that young girls in other countries like South Africa have no say in their futures like we do. One target of this meeting was to ensure that girls remain in school. "We want our girls to get education where they can compete on the international labour market and where they can be entrepreneurs and where they can have choices." Because we will have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in South African culture for a month soon, we must be up to date on current events. One challenge for South Africa in their fight for social justice is the fact that it hasn't been that long since apartheid ended. Social injustice is still fresh and very much alive for this developing country. However, this challenge could also become South Africa's strength because there are great efforts being made towards change. I like how one of our readings mentions a mandate to "uncover the crimes of apartheid, let them be publicly confessed with the aim of forgiveness." The struggle for racial equality is a non-stop source of motivation for philanthropists. The passion is still alive; passion that ignites a fire in the depths of souls.
My question for Mr. Gilmour: What are specific actions that the government is currently taking toward social equality? How does Zuma influence social equality in South Africa?
I like your comparison to the native people there and the native Americans here. I noticed the same thing. Actually curious if there is any country that respects its native people instead of treating them like dirt.
ReplyDeleteI was also surprised about learning how the indigenous people of South Africa were treated the same as the ones here in the United States. Colonization has caused a lot of damage to them and they are another marginalized group that we often forget about.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I feel the same way about my own lack of African history and how much of a problem that is within our education system and common knowledge. I think it is somewhat terrible how most nations in the world are very aware of American current events and history, yet we know just about nothing about any of their current events or national history.
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