Business: Forget empty Freedom Day platitudes, take action instead - The Mail & Guardian

  • 📰 mailandguardian
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 62 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 28%
  • Publisher: 92%

Ireland News News

Ireland Ireland Latest News,Ireland Ireland Headlines

It’s not enough to be colour blind, we must look at reality and act to stop racism

South Africa has many things to be proud of. It was 27 years ago when we successfully transitioned from the apartheid regime into a democratic republic without disintegrating into civil war; our first democratic elections saw a nearly 100% voter turnout; and we have one of the most progressive and inclusionary constitutions in the world.

The Covid-19 pandemic has only exacerbated matters, and the resulting increase in the already unacceptable levels of unemployment has highlighted the huge inequalities in South Africa. Racial polarisation and antagonism permeate every aspect of our society, our culture and our economy. Virtually nothing is untouched, in some way, by race.It’s easy to become cynical and lost in the hopelessness of it all, particularly as now is exactly when we should have hope.

Ralph let me lose my head for a while and then he quietly said to me: “I really appreciate what you’ve done for us here and for me in particular. I enjoy working here, but let me explain something to you. When I leave this business every day, I can be harassed by the police or stopped for my passbook, or my parents could be detained for some other ridiculous apartheid law. It is so overwhelming, that for me, the struggle comes first. The job will always be second.

In reality, however, racial polarisation in the workplace is still very real and it isn’t taken seriously. Most of us are more comfortable pretending that issues of race can be sidestepped or swept under the carpet. After almost three decades, we can admit this isn’t the case.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

Now I believe what people have been saying about Caldwellsteve8 is true, I earned a lot of money trading my bitcoin with him, Mr Caldwell you're indeed a great man of your words, you've changed lives including mine and I'm always grateful Caldwellsteve8 Thanks so much.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 2. in İE

Ireland Ireland Latest News, Ireland Ireland Headlines