Wits condemns offensive graffiti on campus

The anc would have been all over this if it was the other race.
Lets see if they do anything substantial because they have enough evidence.
 
Offended? Why should I be offended by some retard that simply can't cut it, obviously, even though his sorry 'disadvantaged' arse is parked off at Wits?

It's a sorry sight. A terrible commentary on his intelligence, and Africa. And he's too stupid to realise it.
 
Wits' response:

https://www.facebook.com/witsuniversity/posts/10153996408798854

STATEMENT ON OFFENSIVE GRAFFITI ON CAMPUS

Dear Colleagues and Students

It has come to our attention that a small group of students are deliberately spraying offensive graffiti on walls on Wits’ campuses and on T-shirts. The offensive graffiti has been removed from our campus walls.

The group claims to be mobilising on behalf of an individual who will apparently be appearing before the Human Rights Commission (HRC) on Wednesday for wearing a T-shirt that had the words “**** White People” painted on the back. We are not sure who laid the complaint with the HRC.

However, the individual wearing the T-shirt has been associated with a number of illegal activities on Wits’ campuses in recent weeks, which we are investigating, in line with the University’s policies and procedures.

Management’s response to the offensive messages

As the Senior Executive Team of Wits University, we strongly condemn the offensive messages being propagated and we deeply regret the insult that it may cause to members of our community.

We have deliberated on the matter, and while we do not agree with the actions of these students, we have been advised that legally, the statements may not be a violation of our country’s Constitution, which provides for freedom of expression, unless it constitutes incitement to cause harm. In this instance, while the messages are certainly hurtful, we have been advised that they may not directly incite harm.

The University does not condone the actions of these students, whose behaviour runs contrary to the values of tolerance and respect that we expect from members of the Wits community and we strongly urge them to desist from this offensive and hurtful behaviour.

Management’s response to the statement ‘Blacks can’t be racists’

The protesting group makes the case that black people cannot be racists. Their argument is based on the fact that the structure and distribution of power in our society and the world is decidedly in favour of white people. There is a serious methodological and intellectual problem with this argument. First, it makes the assumption that power is always homogenously constructed. In fact, power is always a relational concept displayed in any actions between individuals, even if both are of the same race. It is precisely because of this unequal power relationship that we cannot extrapolate from a structural relationship of power in society and the world, and use it unthinkingly to describe the interactions between any two individuals.

We are thus of the view that it is indeed possible for people to act in racially offensive ways against white persons.

Nevertheless, even if there was credence to this argument, it is the responsibility of every member of this University to be courteous to, and respectful of one another, even when we have different views. The statements by the protesting group may or may not be racist, they may not be unlawful, but they are certainly hurtful and offensive to others.

There is no use in engaging in esoteric debates that do not obviate from the fact that the statements are offensive and hurtful and that they fundamentally violate and undermine the core values of Wits University.

Should a member of our University community behave in this regard? We cannot deal with this using security measures. What is required is a social convention, through which members of the Wits community rise and say ‪#‎NotInOurName‬.

Offensive graffiti stealing from the poor

Some of these students may be able to obtain temporary satisfaction as a result of wearing offensive T-shirts or spraying graffiti on our walls. We are forced to clean this offensive graffiti at a huge cost to the University. These are funds which could have been spent on financial aid. This is the tragedy – people who are claiming to act on behalf of the poor are behaving in ways that may redirect resources away from the poor. The University will take action against anyone caught defacing University property, or spraying graffiti on walls not designated for this purpose.

Conclusion

We understand that there are some who would like to manipulate the current political climate and the debates around race in society to deliberately provoke and offend others to suit their own agendas. We need to rise above the cheap politicking and rather use this opportunity to effect meaningful transformation in the higher education sector and society. We can only do so if we all act in ways that are respectful and tolerant of one another.

Thank you
Senior Executive Team
8 February 2016
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Particularly liked this bit:

Management’s response to the statement ‘Blacks can’t be racists’

The protesting group makes the case that black people cannot be racists. Their argument is based on the fact that the structure and distribution of power in our society and the world is decidedly in favour of white people. There is a serious methodological and intellectual problem with this argument. First, it makes the assumption that power is always homogenously constructed. In fact, power is always a relational concept displayed in any actions between individuals, even if both are of the same race. It is precisely because of this unequal power relationship that we cannot extrapolate from a structural relationship of power in society and the world, and use it unthinkingly to describe the interactions between any two individuals.

We are thus of the view that it is indeed possible for people to act in racially offensive ways against white persons.
Click to expand...
 
Rickster said:
I dont know why the fsck they dont just finish their courses and get on with their lives.
Click to expand...

Because its their culture ... want want want everything for nothing.At the dawn of freedom they were promised everything for free.Also these young ones have huge chips on their shoulders ... There behaviour is ruining it for the rest of the ones (Wont explain further .. but no more freebies for the lot of them )
 
OrbitalDawn said:
Particularly liked this bit:
Click to expand...

I agree, I wish most situations could be dealt with using simple logic.

ubercal said:
Because its their culture ... want want want everything for nothing.At the dawn of freedom they were promised everything for free.Also these young ones have huge chips on their shoulders ... There behaviour is ruining it for the rest of the ones (Wont explain further .. but no more freebies for the lot of them )
Click to expand...

"It's their culture" really? Overgeneralisation does not help in any way.
 
YeOldeOke said:
Offended? Why should I be offended by some retard that simply can't cut it, obviously, even though his sorry 'disadvantaged' arse is parked off at Wits?

It's a sorry sight. A terrible commentary on his intelligence, and Africa. And he's too stupid to realise it.
Click to expand...

Offended? Maybe not and I agree with you - useless is useless. Concerned? Most definitely. Because the more these basement-IQ'd simpletons are allowed to get away with this, the worse it will get.

We've entered the realm of what the actual fsck. So what's next?
 
I agree with Flanders, I've never been offended be any of the anti-white crap but I am certainly alarmed and concerned by the trajectory we are traveling on.
 
I love the argument that blacks don't have any power when the president is black and black people are the majority in the country. In terms of voting power - and thus getting their interests represented by government they are far ahead of whites on the power curve.

Logic...
 
Flanders said:
Offended? Maybe not and I agree with you - useless is useless. Concerned? Most definitely. Because the more these basement-IQ'd simpletons are allowed to get away with this, the worse it will get.

We've entered the realm of what the actual fsck. So what's next?
Click to expand...

FoXtroT said:
I agree with Flanders, I've never been offended be any of the anti-white crap but I am certainly alarmed and concerned by the trajectory we are traveling on.
Click to expand...

Let's be realistic for a moment. Sorry (not) if I step on anyone's sensitivities.

Please point out to me one case of a country in Africa going forward, ever. Pre- or post-colonialism. Botswana is about as good as it gets, and basically all they've managed to achieve is to not slide backwards. Standing still while the world moves forward is unfortunately also going backwards. Nigeria is a mess.

So SA expects to buck the trend of all of history? At best very improbable. I see no sign that it can happen. In fact, the trend is written in giant, blazing neon signs all over the place. Too many to even start referencing them all. In the politics, the culture, the economics, everything.

Pretty much deja vu.

And the final nails in the coffin are;
The west is sick and tired of Africa. Any aid, assistance will be tepid in future.
China hit its ceiling a while back already and they are going to be pretty occupied trying to keep their ship from sinking. There are a myriad reasons for this. Even at the best of times China is mercenary.
Russia, well, is Russia. Africa will get no sympathy from these two, and will just be used as their bitch as long as it's convenient.


Sad state of affairs, but countries look after themselves. Africa has been given the chance to grow up, and failed miserably.

So the future is no mystery.
 
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Flanders said:
We've entered the realm of what the actual fsck. So what's next?
Click to expand...
That's an open question.

The thorny part is that this particular style of thinking, that blacks can't be racist or that the weaker gender can't be sexist, did not originate locally. It's been imported from overseas and it's very much also a part of the feminist movement and "progressive" movements in general. As such, in order to overcome it, one ultimately has to convince "progressives" that it's not in their interests to make their demands using this rationale. I suspect that this is only going to come about as a result of a painful lesson for everyone involved.

Speaking more locally though, I think it depends on the local elections. The ANC is aggravating racial tensions in a horrible way as part of their election campaign. I think that the turnout/popularity of the ANC and the way the ANC reacts to the results will be the two biggest indicators for the future of this country. The lower the vote count for the ANC, the better the chances that black people in general have gotten tired of the ANC's BS, and the likelier they are to ignore racialist politics from the ANC. As for how the ANC reacts to the elections, well, that's purely a wait-and-see affair. A lot can happen in a month, and Zuma's grip on power has slipped and it looks like maybe his feet of clay have finally started to crack...
 
I perused one of Twitter's profiles linked in the OP. The crap on her page genuinely makes me fear for the future of whites in South Africa.
 
Choosing political correctness

LazyLion said:
I posted the photo of the dude with the T-shirt here on this forum (so we could discuss it), but one of the other mods deleted it. :(
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Seems like they are more on the side of political correctness instead of freedom of speech.

Well that is the mainstream media for you. If you can call mybb mainstream ?!?!?!
 
YeOldeOke said:
Let's be realistic for a moment. Sorry (not) if I step on anyone's sensitivities.

Please point out to me one case of a country in Africa going forward, ever. Pre- or post-colonialism. Botswana is about as good as it gets, and basically all they've managed to achieve is to not slide backwards. Standing still while the world moves forward is unfortunately also going backwards. Nigeria is a mess.
Click to expand...

Namibia.
 
The mentality of this country is down the drain and throw logic in there as well. Man o man. Well then again it is happening all over the world these day. The new trend emerging is black people just can't be racist. Or they can exercise their freedom of speech but whites can't. Just imagine a white person with f**** black people on their shirt. Man ooooh man.

And DEAR WHITE PEOPLE: Stop apologizing for your freedom of expression and speech. STOP IT !!!!!
 
spyketdog said:
The mentality of this country is down the drain and throw logic in there as well. Man o man. Well then again it is happening all over the world these day. The new trend emerging is black people just can't be racist. Or they can exercise their freedom of speech but whites can't. Just imagine a white person with f**** black people on their shirt. Man ooooh man.
Click to expand...

Hypocrisy on the part of Wits doesn't mean we can violate freedom of speech.
 
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