Racism threatening our democracy

P

Patrick_Hockstetter

Banned
Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
4,989
Reaction score
8
Location
...
Link

Max du Preez

I can’t think of any reason why South Africans would be more racist now than at any time in the past, as many have been stating recently.

Could it be that we’ve just become more aware and far more intolerant of racist behaviour?

Have black South Africans perhaps become more assertive around this issue, finally fed-up that racism is still with us 21 years after our liberation?

Whatever the case, racism is clearly tearing at our social fabric, even threatening our development as a mature democracy. We have to start going beyond the usual condemnation.

This past week I used Twitter and Facebook to suggest that we should consider classifying racist behaviour (physical attacks, obvious discrimination, gross insults) as hate crimes. The response was telling: most whites came with many caveats, ifs and buts; most black respondents agreed with me. The debate itself became saturated with denial, prejudice and resentment.

Tougher sentences

My idea is not to create new laws or define new crimes, but to have tougher sentences imposed on offenders whose targets were intentionally selected because of his/her race or culture (and we should add gender, sexual preference and religion). This is already done in the US, Canada, the UK and elsewhere.

Perhaps we could also consider, as the Labour Party in Britain is proposing, a blacklist of people convicted of such hate crimes. This could serve as a serious deterrent, not only because of the public shaming, but because people on the list will have to disclose it to future employers.

Crimen injuria, defined as an act of unlawfully, intentionally and seriously impairing the dignity of another, is already an offence in our common law. But in reality there are very few cases brought by the state; most crimen injuria cases are taken to court as civil cases by the aggrieved party and costs a lot of money.

Our Equality Courts are the solution to this, created to hear cases of unfair discrimination, harassment and hate speech at virtually no cost to complainants. Few people, however, know about these courts and there are far too few of them. Civil society organisations need to popularize these courts and push for one at each magistrate’s court.

Okay, I can already hear the chorus of ifs and buts. Let’s deal with them.

A core issue

There are more important things to deal with than racism, like bad service delivery and corruption, it is said. Apart from the fact that we can do all those things as well as combat racism, this argument seems to play down the dangers of racism.

In a country with our history, legacy of inequality and huge diversity, racism is a core issue that can end up threatening our stability.

Stronger action against racism is a threat to free expression, is another argument. Yes, we have to be careful not to unnecessarily censor debate and opinion in the name of fighting racism. But we should not allow intolerance and racism to hide behind the free speech argument. There are already legitimate restrictions to free expression, like defamation and inciting violence against the state. Grossly insulting someone on something other than his/her race is already accepted as crimen injuria. Think of racist language or racial stereotypes in the same way.

We should not take anyone’s voice away, but we should make sure that racist statements and behaviour are seen as uncivilised, crude and socially taboo. Whites, especially, should publicly distance themselves from the bigots and isolate them socially, as has happened to singer Steve Hofmeyr.

Another favourite argument among many whites is that many ANC/EFF politicians regularly make racist statements; that BEE and affirmative action are racist practices. Stop them first before you preach to us, they say. Or: the useless civil service and Eskom’s pathetic performance made me a racist.

Complicating factors

Yes, some politicians have in recent times made reckless and generalised statements about white people, like Julius Malema’s statement that all whites are criminals. But what value is there for whites to take the bait and respond with more racism?

And let’s face it, those who say that Eskom turned them into racists were racists to start off with. Incompetence and bad leadership know no colour. BEE and AA, when correctly applied, are in line with the spirit of our constitution and simply cannot be seen as racist.

A complicating factor is that many politicians and commentators are using accusations of racism as a way of venting their own frustrations and personal anger, others as camouflage for own failings. Some public personalities on social media write about nothing else than accusing all whites of being supremacists and bigots, often using extreme language – a form of racism in itself. Not all incidents of violence or rage involving white people are racist.

Yes, power and privilege should be factored into the racism debate. We all accept jokes about heterosexuals, but frown upon jokes about gay people, for instance. Stereotypes about rich white men are perceived as different to those of black domestic workers.

Sensitivity needed

White society should understand and be sensitive about this. But it doesn’t mean that blacks can’t be racist. Xenophobia is one example. Power relations have shifted significantly the last two decades. There are many powerful black people and many powerless white people nowadays. Things are not as simple as they used to be.

The more we succeed in eradicating real racism, the smaller the chances that legitimate criticism of those in power and all incidents of anti-social behaviour involving whites are labelled as racist.

A sharp reduction in white racism is sure to starve the growth of black racism of oxygen.
Click to expand...
 
There's the unfortunate situation where a lot of white 'I'm not racist but...' people see the **** up that is the ANC and use that as a stepping to thinking "goddamn black people ****ing up this country". It also doesn't help that the majority of violent crime in this country is committed by black people.

It's an easy mindset to slip into: Some Muslims are bombing **** - watch out for Muslims with backpacks!
Some black people are ****ing up this country - damn savages!

And that mindset is reinforced by an already existing racist tendency. It's not right that people think like that - but it's not entirely beyond comprehension why people do it.

That said - I don't see this racism stuff in my day-to-day life. It's also slightly disheartening that people are shouting so loudly about something which doesn't have as direct a cure as eradicating corrupt leaders might have. We've had racism in the world for a pretty long time - and for the most part we've eradicated established racial institutions and policies. Eradicating racism from peoples minds isn't a switch you flick. It's done by working toward a society in which all people are equal and the leadership is compelled to put the people first.

Well...an environment in which all are on equal footing and crime & corruption are dealt with more efficiently will starve the racist weeds from growing in the 'I'm not racist but...' people. Tear down the structures in which racist thoughts find solace and racism will decline.
 
You think white people are racist towards blacks? Should see and hear the coloureds and Muslims.....you'll faint ;)
 
BEE and AA, when correctly applied, are in line with the spirit of our constitution and simply cannot be seen as racist.
Click to expand...

I'm not really sure why I bother responding to the crap that du Preez sprouts but going on about the great and wonderful constitution hides the fact that the constitution condones racial discrimination. You truly want to make progress in dealing with racism? Remove all forms of it - even those that some people may think is 'good' racism.
 
Patrick_Hockstetter said:
Max is evolving, he think his thoughts on this matter are quite good.
Click to expand...

Max is representing one side only, again he generalise like many other white anti-racism bloggers nowadays.

Have black South Africans perhaps become more assertive around this issue, finally fed-up that racism is still with us 21 years after our liberation?
Click to expand...

That should read:

Have South Africans perhaps become more assertive around this issue, finally fed-up that racism is still with us 21 years after our liberation?
Click to expand...

Then he concluded:

Sensitivity needed

White society should understand and be sensitive about this. But it doesn’t mean that blacks can’t be racist. Xenophobia is one example. Power relations have shifted significantly the last two decades. There are many powerful black people and many powerless white people nowadays. Things are not as simple as they used to be.

The more we succeed in eradicating real racism, the smaller the chances that legitimate criticism of those in power and all incidents of anti-social behaviour involving whites are labelled as racist.

A sharp reduction in white racism is sure to starve the growth of black racism of oxygen.
Click to expand...

Interesting how he co-exchange between xenophobia and racism, so in other words xenophobia is black racism in his perspective. Xenophobia exist in white communities as well.
 
ZCFOutkast said:
When I type any other South African language (Xhosa) just as you have done Afrikaans, it gets deleted!
Click to expand...

Serious? :wtf:

Now replying to the article re harsh sentences/punishments for racists, I have a different view, you can't regulate (putting people in jails) attitude but can only educate. I wonder why some people find it difficult to judge a person based on their character or behaviour towards others and leave his race out of it.
 
Mbuzi said:
Serious? :wtf:

Now replying to the article re harsh sentences/punishments for racists, I have a different view, you can't regulate (putting people in jails) attitude but can only educate. I wonder why some people find it difficult to judge a person based on their character or behaviour towards others and leave his race out of it.
Click to expand...

Like with AA?
 
Mbuzi said:
I wonder why some people find it difficult to judge a person based on their character or behaviour towards others and leave his race out of it.
Click to expand...
It's easier to understand skin color than character & behavior :).
It's easier to be intellectually lazy and say 'damn purples' than it is to take a breath and spend an extra few minutes articulating what the real problem is and identifying the culprits properly.
 
ZCFOutkast said:
To who? Objective admins?
Click to expand...

Fudzy said:
Seems only fair, innit?
Click to expand...

Yes... only when you provide a reasonable accusation, reported to the administrators. The administrators will then need to investigate and make a decision based on their examination and the complainant's accusation.

Personally I have no issue with my post being removed, it is purely based on a true impression in relation to post #4.

@ZCFOutkast, did you report the post?
 
When I read posts like this then I tend to agree with Max. I never thought I'd ever say that. :o

ZCFOutkast said:
White people miss the trick entirely. Do you honestly think that if you guys were moving into black neighbourhoods, schools, social places instead of spreading further away any of this would be happening?

A South African goes to England and learns to live like the English, same when they go to Italy, France, America, Australia. You appreciate their sports&teams - Yankees, Lakers, New South Wales, Sydney Sixers, Looserpool, PSG, Juventus etc, even master the accents. I've rubbedh shoulders with white South Africans in America&UK, hopefully Australia soon, but the point is you try to fit in. Not here - Chiefs, Pirates etc. One guys said Keegan Dolly & Franklin Cayle are rappers.:confused:

You came to South Africa and you treat us like dirt, lepers. So in answer to your question - it will never be relaxed. Some years ago in the ANC Malema spoke of driving you guys into the sea, and as much as I don't agree with the severity it implies - the majority share that view. Do I blame them? No. Your forefathers rejected us, you do too, all in the name of culture - the kind of culture&identity you're all oo eager to give up in other "white lands".
Click to expand...
 
My idea is not to create new laws or define new crimes, but to have tougher sentences imposed on offenders whose targets were intentionally selected because of his/her race or culture (and we should add gender, sexual preference and religion).
Click to expand...
no problem with his proposal, as long as it is applied equally and fairly, not selectively, to all offenders.
however, things tend to get murky when gender, sexual orientation & religion come into play.
 
grantza said:
no problem with his proposal, as long as it is applied equally and fairly, not selectively, to all offenders.
however, things tend to get murky when gender, sexual orientation & religion come into play.
Click to expand...

Which authority will make this decision? Every crime will ring with racism, sexism or complete bigotry.

Max stated:

Our Equality Courts are the solution to this, created to hear cases of unfair discrimination, harassment and hate speech at virtually no cost to complainants. Few people, however, know about these courts and there are far too few of them. Civil society organisations need to popularize these courts and push for one at each magistrate’s court.
Click to expand...

Then,

We should not take anyone’s voice away, but we should make sure that racist statements and behaviour are seen as uncivilised, crude and socially taboo. Whites, especially, should publicly distance themselves from the bigots and isolate them socially, as has happened to singer Steve Hofmeyr.

Another favourite argument among many whites is that many ANC/EFF politicians regularly make racist statements; that BEE and affirmative action are racist practices. Stop them first before you preach to us, they say. Or: the useless civil service and Eskom’s pathetic performance made me a racist.
Click to expand...

where is the line?

In this essence the equality court will need to lay down a precedent... will everyone be accountable?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X