We are as humans, endowed with the abundance of prejudice; and which by nature widely distributed among all of us; though it may manifest in varying degrees depending on circumstances and individual experiences. None of us can with all conviction claim to possess no such quality which is consistent with the psychological make-up of us as human beings. Given our history as a country, there are those, particularly black South Africans, who wish to surrender the burden of racial prejudice exclusively to white South Africans. Some black people espouse the absurd notion that Africans do not possess in them such disposition to be racially prejudicially; as they perceive racial prejudice to be a function of power, especially economic power; thus deliberately other important factors such as pure hate and discrimination on the basis of race.
Our history in South Africa is a history where race was and has always been the factor that inspired overt display and practice of such prejudices. The Holy Scriptures are not without accounts of gross subjugation of the rights of those who were, and even in modern day, still are considered lesser human by those who saw and to some degree continue to see themselves as the superior race. The architects of apartheid to perceived themselves as superior to the native sons and daughters of the soil; finding inspiration in the Holy Book and using it to justify the subjugation of others. Christianity, as was common among Dutch settlers, became the religion out of which the repression of others gained traction, also because the Holy Scriptures condoned the repulsive practice of enslaving others and ruling over them as inhuman subjects and offending their dignity.
South Africans, particularly those against whom history is most unfavourable, are adept in claiming no possession of any form of prejudice nor even admitting to their support, tacit or overt, of the preservation of apartheid and white privilege; while the reality is that we are all sprinkled with an equal measure of bigotry and thus admitting our human flaws makes none of us lesser mortals. It is disingenuous for person to claim to be devoid of any form of prejudice, racial or otherwise. We elect unconsciously not at our own accord to harbour such prejudices; as these are almost always affirmed through unfavourable life experiences and often the dictates of particular circumstances at every station of life. How often have we judged others based on assumptions we have about them?
During the liberation struggle it was perhaps acceptable among black people that their loathe of white South Africa as in direct response to the brutish and repressive system of apartheid and those who represented it; that as the powerless masses they had no means nor desire to subjugate others nor even considered themselves superior in any form. Black people, justifiably so, saw themselves as victims of the system that promoted racial discrimination; and indeed they were victims. Even scores of years later, the scars inflicted by the indignity of being a pariah in own country remain and serve as a reminder to those who suffered and lost their loved ones, of what not to be.
It is a reasonable assumption that we should all draw instructive lessons from history; in order that we do not repeat it, unfortunately at times victims of such history tend to project its ills as they emerge from its rubbles. It is not surprising that some black people would harbour ill-feelings towards the white community given their experiences in the past. However, such broad and untargeted grudges however justified only serve to confirm the inherent racial prejudices of those black people. Broad generalisations intended to label a particular group purely owing to racial stereotypes is racism. Those who adamantly hold a view as black people they cannot be racist ought to be reminded of the political power they wield today.
Whether irrational or otherwise, today there exist those among white communities who firmly believe that the black majority have adopted a systematic practice of reverse discrimination. The larger majority of white South Africans acknowledge the tragedy of apartheid; and embrace the collective sacrifices to be made in order to transition society to normality by addressing the imbalances of that painful history. Protected by the Constitution, black people cannot and should not be accused of sowing seeds of racial divisions when embarking on the transformation journey. “Fair discrimination” for the purpose of extricating society from the dark ages of racial oppression is a constitutional prerogative intended for the general good of the nation. However, racial prejudices for the advancement of personal agendas cannot in whatever form be within this particular context.
Your briliant article explain why it is disgusting to get some spoiled white South Africans, particularly unreconciling Afrikaners always being over-sensitive over charge of rasism, the strategy being that paint onto them that which you are grossly guilty of, for it is a shame you cannot afford to own up to your grave, as the mordern day civilisation has denounced it all. White South Africans must stop fo.oling the world by crying victims of rasism in an environment where all their apartheid privillages are still in tact and have actually benefited more than any other race in terms of economic opportunities in a democratic South Africa (statistics SA). When I see most of them claiming easily (painlessly) “reverse apartheid” and “race card” against transformation agenda, I get so irritated I’m like “these guys will temper with our patience one day if they continue on this nosensical tip”.
Time is now for these hypocrites to contribute genuinely to real reconciliation and nation-building and begin to, in good faith, assist reverse the ugly inequalities that was created by their bloody racists ancestors whose deeds continue to bestow privilleges to their current living generations – otherwise we will bitterly remind them why we dubiously accepted Mandela’s call to reconcile with them!
Dear franco
As was quoted: “Despite these negatives views, I am able to treat Afrikaners with the respect and dignity I afford to other human beings.” Do not I say that I endeavor to treat all men equally? Do not I say that I try to be fair with all people I meet on an every day basis? Do not I say that I believe that prejudice is the “the well-spring of all the world’s social evils”? Your criticism of me raises out of your distaste for my opinions of ‘Afrikanerdom’. Not my actions or my opinions on prejudice. Moreover I did not even express any opinions that sought to elevate Afrikanerdom over (what you seem to believe is) “Anglo-dom”. It takes a special kind of mind to attack a man’s “identity” on the basis that you did not like an opinion he expressed about your own identity.
Just an open question:
Skimming through the comments,one can assume that most agree on one fact. We are all inherrently “racist” if we like it or not, what ever racism means.My personal believe is that we,as in the animal world,naturally want to protect and promote our own. So because we are talking South Africa,why then do we insist on multi-culturism. Or why if Blacks feel so intimidated and hated by whites, would they then want to share the Boardroom or workplace with whites. I suppose my point is,is their really such a thing as a rainbow nation or even a Global Community. I certainly dont feel the Love in all these Blogs and comments about racism and brotherhood of man.If we are all honest, maybe it’s apples for apples and just maybe we can tolerate each other, as long as we live (and dare I say it) APART.
@Belle
I am amused by your sudden retraction, though unsurprising. You did not have to blatantly put your racism on the stage for everyone to see.
You said: “Sixteen years of Instant Transformation have deprived these children of experienced teachers, Eskom engineers, municipal managers, water specialists, nurses and doctors.”
These words suggests for any sober reader that you imply that we are unfit to govern. In my view the above-mentioned words falls short of nothing of racism. I know and you know that white people (yourself included) are bitter about the democratic process, which has progressed from strength to strength.
Quite frankly South Africa needs no master to direct the natives what to do and how to do it, especially when they (Caucasians) have racist tone in their debates about issues of the day. I think your submissions with due respect are devoid of critical thought and riddled with nonsense.
Dear Panchetta,
You’ve so missed my point, you’re in danger of coming back to lap it. Mine is not a defensive posture. The lady at the restaurant was scolding this grown black woman as if she were a child. I’m almost certain she wouldn’t do the same to a white counterpart, she would likely get told where to get off..
As for your validation of my cognitive abilities-thanks for the slice of patronising pie but i’m on a strict no pastry diet.
@Cobus De Wet
Please do not lie to us and take us for one. Racism is the progressive subjugation of one race by another through economic,political and social means and was taught from infancy.Who taught Blacks to be racist?Who came with colonialism and apartheid?If you can answer only these two basic questions,I may reconsider my opinion which suggests Blacks cannot be racist.For now politics are in Black hands in our country but the economy is in White hands through all the political,economic and social engineering of 350 years.
‘He writes what likes, without fear or favour.’
I think it should be “He writes what _he_ likes, without fear or favour.”
Just saying
Dear Frank Nnete,
I like you – no patronising.
@Phemelo
I would not think of lying to you and my belief that we are “one”, well lets look at the standard interpretation of the word “Racism” Lets start with “race” n. “group of people of common ancestry with distinguishing physical features”;species or type. Are we in agreement on this? “racism” n. “belief in innate superiority of a particular race; antagonistic towards members of a different race based on belief”
Economic,political and social means are but only a few tools in the toolbox of racism. My point of Racism being inherent can be seen through millennia of the history of the human race, Yes even in Africa. Surely their is a little “antagonism” between lets say, Zulus and Xhosas or say Hutu’s and Tutsi’s. The latest xenaphobia attacks on foreigners in South Africa beg to differ with your point of view. Once again my argument is that this is not taught as you suggest but inherent. As for your question who taught “blacks” to be racist, well themselves. The answer to your next question is obviously Europeans, due to their inherent racism.You must remember that the world was a very different place 350 years ago, it was “dog eat dog” Lands were for the taking and peoples for the murdering.Not only whites but also blacks partook in this all conquering mindset. Shaka Zulu,Dingaan,Idi Amin,Romans,Brittain, Mongols,Muslims,Hitler you name it. Us whities are not all bad,we left a small gravytrain!