Marnie and I went to the apartheid museum on Sunday. It is an immense building, and only after we were in the Nelson Mandela wing for two hours did we realize how much more of the building was left. All in all we were there for more than three hours, but really you could spend a whole day there.
I learned more than a few things. You have probably heard of the squalid conditions in the townships, the pass cards that restricted non-whites’ movements and access to resources, the torture and death of anti-apartheid supporters in police custody. Some things I didn't know about were the active attempts by the government to suppress black education, in order to have a semi-skilled workforce to work in the mines and industry. You also don’t usually hear about the violence, both by militant blacks and far right whites, that rocked the country in the years between Mandela’s release from Robben Island in 1990 and his inauguration in 1994. It’s a true testament to the man’s greatness that the country didn't descend into civil war.
I don’t pretend to be an expert on race in South Africa, but here is primer on what I do know. The Boer are the descendants of the original Dutch settlers who pushed onward from Cape Town to colonize the country. Due to their treatment during the Anglo-Boer Wars at the turn of last century, there is still some resentment between English and Boer whites. Boer in Afrikaans means farmer, and there is a stereotype that they are ignorant rednecks.
Since the fall of apartheid, there is a growing black middle class, though unemployment is officially around 30% (and unofficially much higher). Apart from resentment towards immigrants, there are tribal divisions that are evident in the highest levels of government. There is a push by the ANC to nationalize large sectors of the economy, which makes many whites nervous that a situation like Zimbabwe could occur here. The San, the indigenous people of South Africa, are the low men on the totem pole. Their treatment is very similar to that of the Aborigines in Australia, or Native Americans.
Under apartheid, the Indian community did relatively well due to their elevated status compared to blacks. Though Indians were active in the fight against apartheid, there is resentment towards how they advanced economically during those years. Add in the Chinese, Portuguese and Jewish communities here and you have a proper mess. Compared to this, I’d take America’s racial baggage any day.
The pillars in front of the museum read: democracy, reconciliation, equality, diversity, responsibility, respect and freedom. Certainly something to aspire to.
I learned more than a few things. You have probably heard of the squalid conditions in the townships, the pass cards that restricted non-whites’ movements and access to resources, the torture and death of anti-apartheid supporters in police custody. Some things I didn't know about were the active attempts by the government to suppress black education, in order to have a semi-skilled workforce to work in the mines and industry. You also don’t usually hear about the violence, both by militant blacks and far right whites, that rocked the country in the years between Mandela’s release from Robben Island in 1990 and his inauguration in 1994. It’s a true testament to the man’s greatness that the country didn't descend into civil war.
I don’t pretend to be an expert on race in South Africa, but here is primer on what I do know. The Boer are the descendants of the original Dutch settlers who pushed onward from Cape Town to colonize the country. Due to their treatment during the Anglo-Boer Wars at the turn of last century, there is still some resentment between English and Boer whites. Boer in Afrikaans means farmer, and there is a stereotype that they are ignorant rednecks.
Since the fall of apartheid, there is a growing black middle class, though unemployment is officially around 30% (and unofficially much higher). Apart from resentment towards immigrants, there are tribal divisions that are evident in the highest levels of government. There is a push by the ANC to nationalize large sectors of the economy, which makes many whites nervous that a situation like Zimbabwe could occur here. The San, the indigenous people of South Africa, are the low men on the totem pole. Their treatment is very similar to that of the Aborigines in Australia, or Native Americans.
Under apartheid, the Indian community did relatively well due to their elevated status compared to blacks. Though Indians were active in the fight against apartheid, there is resentment towards how they advanced economically during those years. Add in the Chinese, Portuguese and Jewish communities here and you have a proper mess. Compared to this, I’d take America’s racial baggage any day.
The pillars in front of the museum read: democracy, reconciliation, equality, diversity, responsibility, respect and freedom. Certainly something to aspire to.
I can't wait for you two to be guest speakers for my classes. We're making some changes in our social studies curriculum for next year, and one of the ss teachers and I are dialoguing on combining some assignments. You will be awesome resources!
ReplyDeleteIt will be a pleasure. Keep in mind that we can Skype as well. Love, M
ReplyDeleteSkyping on the white board! Hmmm, there's an interesting vision.
ReplyDelete