Deep racism of cage row
THE report on the farmer who allowed a woman to ride in a cage at the back of his truck demonstrates some of the subtle complex values of racism we have internalised, perhaps unconsciously at times.
They guide our behaviour, how we feel about each other and how we interpret events – from politics to social justice.
If the farmer’s narrative is correct, that this woman climbed in at the back of the truck on her own, a reason may be that she has internalised the racist value that she is inferior and does not belong in the front seat.
The farmer, on the other hand, exhibits a superiority racial complex – that a black woman riding in the back of a truck in a cage is normal. Even his sheep ride in that cage, he says in a matter of fact explanation!
A racial inferiority complex still permeates our society and affects all aspects of our lives. That old saying “umLungu mdala” elevating the white race to the position of our elders whose authority cannot be challenged, lingers on. Because values are passed down through generations we may still be passing these unseen beliefs to the next generation.
It is these internalised values that led to the defeatism that saw some accept the Ciskei and Transkei Bantustans and cede the rest of South Africa to white people. Our inferiority complex had drained our courage to challenge the white man’s claim to our land and we were resigned to accepting scraps as normal.
Race inferiority is not a negative value that goes away on its own. The first line of defence has to be us not accepting second rate citizenship, second rate services or second rate anything – even from our own people.
Correcting it requires education and mentoring of our youth. Our youth should grow up with the firm resolve that they belong in the front seat of any society and never assign themselves to the back seat.
Be it at home, kwiNtonjana or ebuKhwetheni values of self confidence and achievement should take centre stage.
But I also think the farmer is looking for answers and feels that what he thought was a gesture of help to a stranded person has turned into a nightmare.
The symbolism of the caged black person was invisible to him, obscured by a belief system of racial perception. He protests that he is not a racist, which may be true, but he seems unaware that some of his actions could the result of deep seated, subtle racial perceptions. But he is certainly different from Penny Sparrow. To help him with some self introspection he might consider whether he would have allowed the hiker to ride in the cage at the back of the truck had she been white? Also, would a white woman have automatically climbed into the back?
Here is a test we might all take. Name five positive qualities you admire in another race group and five qualities you do not and say why. It’s a fun game for diversity training too. — Wongaletu Vanda, via e-mail
YOUR reporters seldom seem to venture beyond East London or Mthatha. For news from the rest of the Eastern Cape one has to buy newspapers printed in Port Elizabeth.
Nothing was reported in the Dispatch regarding the recent flooding of the Fish River in the Cradock area where my family farms.
My nephew suffered losses in excess of R200 000 when goats and cattle were swept from the embankment.
For once a reporter apparently goes to the Karoo town. But to create a newsworthy story for your front page a race slant is given to an issue, “Caged woman row” (DD, January 20).
Surely after hearing Linda Steenkamp’s version, this story should not have been published? Knowing how hot the area can get, I would likely have made the same choice as Steenkamp who is now being portrayed as a “racial victim”. She could have sat in front, an offer she declined! — DJ Michau, Gonubie
SHAME on the Dispatch for printing absolute rubbish. I am sorry to say that your tabloid is desperately trying to promote racism with sensational reports that are utter rubbish.
As a subscriber for more than 20 years it is sad that you stoop so low to promote hatred. Do we not have enough in our beloved country with its dysfunctional government? — Gerry Gericke, via e-mail