Racism has existed throughout
human history. “It may be
defined as the hatred of one person by another — or the belief that another
person is less than human — because of skin colour, language, customs, place of
birth or any factor that supposedly reveals the basic nature of that
person”.
That’s the official definition but racism is
not about White vs Black or Black vs White it’s about everybody vs racists.
I start by quoting Martin Luther King Jr. “We may have come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now”. I grew up with that
thinking and formulated that we all fighting the same cause from the same boat.
But nothing could be further from the truth. My colleague and friend summed it
about when she said we in the same storm but different boats which made me
realize that as a society how unequal we have become. The brutal death of
George Floyd in the USA and Collins Khoza in South Africa by law
enforcement officials are again proof of this. People with authority bringing down
their might on helpless people. This should never happen. As a society, we
simply post messages of disgust on social media and move on.
Our
society is unequal and the attempt to rectify it has failed. But even within this
unequal society and our own democratic institution, one thing that continues to
eat in is racism. To the point, that educated Black individuals say “Life was
better under Apartheid”. This is a knee jerk reaction to current events, but let
me be clear anyone that makes this statement has never lived through the
atrocities of this heinous crime. It was a National Horror that
no human being should have and should endure. The question is how do
we all maneuver this storm and get in the same boat. This will never happen
until there is a real mindset shift in the country. Also when the needs of
society are put before those of politicians. It is in the interest of
politicians to ensure that a portion of the masses remains within this unequal society
to enhance their own ambitions.
Constitutions around the world declare racism as an
act against humanity yet it is still practiced and that too with little or no
consequence.
Not enough is being done to perpetrators of these heinous acts and that
is why they continue. A person gets effectively murdered on camera and the
first reaction is to fire them instead of locking them up. Then we are told
about having to conduct investigations to find out what happened. It is simply
not good enough!
Our leadership in South Africa have been found sorely wanting in dealing
with this, hence we still experience it in this day and age. It is on us now to
stand up. Our
collective voices need to reach out to the leadership of this country. And
sometimes it’s not about changing the mindset of a million people but just
one. And allow that one to change another and so the ripple effect will begin.
We cannot leave our destiny in the hands of politicians.
We are in different boats trailing the mother
ship to steer us through the storm but the issue is the captain of this ship
lacks the decisiveness to make the hard decision and relies on collective
leadership. Collective Leadership brings diversity in thought but when there
are too many voices speaking without thinking and acting for their benefit you
end up in a crisis and chaos. And In a crisis, you need a leader who can go
against the grain and make a decision no matter how unpopular. In 1940 Winston
Churchill’s war cabinet urged him to go into peace talks with the Germans or
risk invasion. They threatened to resign if he didn’t but he stood up and did
what was impossible and won the fight. And he did this by simply taking the
people into his confidence and made a decision. On that day the will of the
people won. In the same vain the President needs to act like a leader. He
certainly has the characteristics and ability.
It was Madiba that eloquently said in his
inauguration speech in May 1994. “The sun
shall never set on so glorious a human achievement! Let Freedom
reign". But this freedom has long been under
threat. We can never truly be free as long as racism exists.
Let us be reminded that the murder of George
Floyd and Collins Khoza and many like them have taken us back in time. When
compassion and human decency did not exist. When we had no rights and were
simply slaves to our masters. Are we surrendering to this present and leaving
this future for the next generation? Not me.
Racism is a colossal
human disaster. In fact a genocide. Not in my name. Or should I
say #NotInMyTime. #BlackLivesMatter. #NoToRacism
A luta continua! (The struggle continues)
Enkosi
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