Let ’ s unite against racism
RACISM has been a cancer that has been slowly killing our society postapartheid South Africa.
Those who thought or believed the dawn of democracy would come with an end to racism were very delusional.
For years, racism has been at the centre of South Africa ’ s politics. Because of this, capitalism in South Africa developed the way it did, with black people occupying the lowest position in society.
The development and access to social media platforms has exposed this demon – that had always been hidden in people ’ s hearts.
Many even think that by spewing racist remarks on social media they are not wrong, but just exercising their freedom of speech or expression.
Recently, we have been subjected this demon by Dianne Kohler Barnard, who happens to be a DA MP, Penny Sparrow, a DA member, economist Chris Hart and fired Idols
SA judge Gareth Cliff. Blacks may have been disadvantaged economically, politically and socially through policies of segregation, but that does not mean they deserve to be called “monkeys ”. Racism is a very sensitive issue to deal with. Some people deny they are racists, even though their actions say otherwise. Some even later apologise knowing very well that blacks are forgiving.
But it is disappointing when people politicise racism and attach it to a particular organisation, as if this demon is a policy of this or that party.
If we are to make strides in fighting racism, let us not apportion it to a single party. Let us remember that we are dealing with a socially constructed idea.
This will require all of us to work together, whether black, white, Coloured or Indian. Tom Mhlanga
By e-mail