Yes, it really was the case that not all white South Africans benefited from the former Apartheid Regime, or benefited to the same extent.
In terms of political, economic, social and personal power. Just as how it is not all white Americans are benefiting, or benefiting the same extent from the United States' essentially racist social, economic and political power system.
Which is why you have white Americans pushing back, when black Americans articulate the main problem in America as being that of 'racist' and 'white oppression.'
Perceptions can be more important that apparently 'indisputable facts.' They can deny or blind people to the opportunities which are available to them to empower them to change adverse circumstances to desired ones.
In fact, our perceptions, because they are erroneous, can be the causes of our problems, or of their magnification.
Which is why it can be prudent to tackle people's perceptions, by identifying and describing them, then re-informing them, before taking on and changing the effects of the problems.
If the majority or significant sectors of white South Africans are perceiving the ANC and ANC governments as the new 'top dogs.'
Despite the fact that black South Africans are still the most affected by social and economic disenfranchisement.
Then it is those 'perceptions' on which white South Africans are going to make decisions and act.
It does not matter that what is really happening, is that the black middle class and elites are expanding, and that one should not make generalisations from this and project it onto the black South African majority.
It is difficult for them to identify with the ANC, as it is difficult for them not to be aware of the fact that it is an organisation which saw and probably still see them as the beneficiaries of the old Apartheid Regime.
The fact that all white South Africans did not benefit greatly, at least economically, from Apartheid, does not really matter to the ordinary person.
To be continued!
No comments:
Post a Comment