The fact that I am at Rhodes University this very instance is proof alone that this statement is untrue. I am 32, have two kids, a lovely wife and, I am also a white male living in post apartheid South Africa.
I am embedded in politics. I have lived it, eaten it, dreamt it and this year I have begun to study it. I am often asked the question, “How did you end up at Rhodes, what made you want to study NOW?” To answer this question has always being difficult for me, even now. Realizing that the answer is so complicated because the situation I find myself in has been developing ever since the day I was born.
It is no coincidence that my main subjects include Economics, Politics and Journalism. I am extremely concerned with the state of South Africa and hopefully by the end of my lifespan at Rhodes, instead of being a ‘burden’, I will be better equipped to aid in the many political battles this country faces.
Some may think I have a chip on my shoulder after reading the first paragraph of this opinion piece, maybe I do. I think otherwise. People are being discriminated against on a daily basis. People of all colours, race, gender and whatever else the human race has been classified as. If I truly had a chip on my shoulder I would not still be living in South Africa. Like so many other South Africans, I would have immigrated long ago. I have family in England who are always trying to persuade me to move over there, friends in Australia have continuously begged me to immigrate. The truth is my heart is for South Africa.
There’s a great movie you should hire if you have not seen it yet, Blood Diamond. One of the lines in this movie has stuck with me for some time now. There is a belief that the red sands covering most of South Africa and Africa for that matter are caused by all the blood that has been shed, the wars that have been fought over the land we call home. Blood, sweat and tears are still being shed on a daily basis. The human race does not seem to learn from past mistakes.
I would like to live in a world where no-one gets discriminated against, a place where the only concern is for the person who does not have a plate of food in front of him/her every night. There are large debates since the beginning of time relating to the topic of humans, life and how one should be treated. Personal gain is not a problem as long as there are no ‘casualties of war’. The advantage gained of some is to the detriment of another, this is not OK!
Responding to the statement at the top of the page, “first years are not interested in politics”, this is surely not true for all and I hope in my opinion above I have managed to convince most who read it that politics is a concern and interest for all who live in South Africa and surely all who live in the rest of the world.
3 comments:
The debate on an opinion piece
The opinion piece on First years are not interested in politics is at http://www.5inblindsight.blogspot.com.
You claim that all first year students are interested in Politics as you’ve so well argued, but you forget that the fact that just because you are a first year and you like politics does not mean that all first years like them. You seem to base your authority on yourself, you keep on referring to yourself and as you’ve shown in your opinion piece you are 32 years old. Not all first years are thirty two or married with kids. The majority of the first years are 18 to 25 and you are clearly above the line. Not that I’m discriminating you or making you feel bad, but as you can clearly see not all first years are interested in politics.
What also astonishes me is the fact that you have not even talked to a single first year or if you have you do not make any reference of them, so you might as well have said that you are interested in politics and that you have a liking for South Africa and not generalise. Seeing that you that you are doing Journalism and Media Studies, it should come as second nature for you to investigate as well as interview people instead of generalising my dear sir.
You say you want to live in a world where nobody is discriminated against, but you do not mention what you as an individual have done to discourage discrimination. You do not mention your part against discrimination. You also fail to mention a country that does have discrimination because you know that there in no such country.
I’m sorry to burst your bubble but unless you kill all the existing people including yourself and bring a new society into being there is no way you‘ll find a world without discrimination.
Another thing is that you are basing your entire argument focussing yourself so there is no way that you can conclude that all first years like politics. By the by your heading is so contradictory to your piece.
Mr H.
Thank you for a great piece of writing, I do, however, have an issue to raise.
While I admire your stance on political importance, it is valid to note that some first years are honestly not interested in politics. I’m not talking about the subject offered; I’m talking about the actual events happening on a day-to-day basis.
While this may be sad, it is true. More so because the majority of first years are still teenagers and have adopted an attitude of apathy towards politics and the country’s political dilemmas.
There are those who are interested in politics, I’m not disregarding them, but I do wish to challenge your point of view in terms of the reality of the fact. We do not live in the ideal society where everything works as it should, and I commend you for sticking it through instead of packing up and moving out. You are one of the few white South African males who should be an example to the rest. I believe in our country and the potential its people have, but politics is a lifestyle that will take some a little longer to adapt to.
Don’t give up, if you keep a positive attitude about politics and share that with as many first years as possible, I am certain that you will make a difference to their outlooks on the subject and the events.
See my post on voting at http://gerbilthefunkyrhodent.blogspot.com/2008/10/v-is-for-vote.html.
Good Luck!
Ncebi *20*
This is a reply to the blog headed “First years are not interested in politics,” by Mr H. http://www.5inblindsight.blogspot.com.
I appreciate the way you’ve introduce yourself in your piece. Some still find it awkward that elderly people (by this I refer mainly to people above the age of 25 years) are taking a stand and are bettering themselves, educating not only them but their children as well. Being a white male ‘nogal’ would make one wonder why you didn’t use the apartheid system to your advantage. But I’d hate to unwrap what would be woundy to you.
You’ve touched on the subject of politics well. This country is facing a serious brain drain due the introduction of policies such as the BEE. Floods of our white brothers and sisters are leaving because they can no longer feel job secure in their own country. Instead, they are now ploughing back into foreign countries. The reason that such is occurring is POLITICS. The reason we were without a president recently is POLITICS. The reason why we have to tick which race you are is POLITICS.
We students, especially first years, need to be aware of what goes on in our country. One needs not be studying the subject, but it is vital that we take time to read more, tune in more and watch more about goes on in running a country. I mean it is interesting and the basics of it are real life situations and you get to know more than just your immediate surroundings. It is also interesting to know why certain political events take place, like our unforgotten Apartheid Era, why people like you Mr H are determined to change South Africa. We need to take matters into our own hands and start of by changing our individual mindsets, so that we can change the world. We need to put away some of the principles used for political theories which I personally believe are not working…BEE.
I really enjoyed reading your blog and it has inspired me to be more active. Thank you Mr H!!
Uno
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