Let’s have positive dialogue on race issues

CONSTITUTIONAL Court Justice Zac Yacoob says 90% of Indians he has come across are racist. Is he part of that?

Are any of his close friends, relatives and associates part of that? Where does the figure come from? Was it audited by a reputable statistics firm or is it just a thumbsuck?

At such a volatile period in the lives of ordinary South Africans, with people trying to come to terms with their identities, history and legacy, positive dialogue should be encouraged.

What is racism? Do people understand the true meaning of racism?

Is it the same as religious prejudice? What about xenophobia? Is it also a form of racism? Is there a thing such as reverse racism? We wouldn’t know, would we?

In the past, people were judged by the colour of their skin and many of us paid the price for that. Today skin lighteners are advertised, encouraged and promoted by people of colour. No-one sees through that – which speaks volumes about being comfortable in one’s skin.

Instead of encouraging togetherness and introducing a multicultural curriculum in schools, so our future generations can live as one and be aware of each other’s culture and traditions, we are digging up graves and opening old wounds – which will not make anything better. Assumption is the mother of all mishaps.

Manners, respect and humility are taught at home and carried forward in schools and other places of learning. That would eventually be filtered into the workplace, sports fields, places of worship, neighbourhoods and on the streets.

I am a South African and will always be, irrespective of the colour of my skin, the language I speak, the religion I practise and the work I do. That is democracy and I am proud to say I’m not part of Yacoob’s 90%. MERVYN PILLAY Durban