Both these films showed how dangerous it was to be a civil rights leader at this moment in life or simply just helping out black people in the worst case scenario could result in death. Even though apartheid is A LOT more recent than slavery, slavery itself is still in the U.S.'s recent history. It really amazes me how apartheid ended around the time I was born. Being only a 20-year old issue I am excited to hearing people's stories in South Africa and getting to listen to first hand experiences and visit historical places in the country. Having watched these films I have an idea of what happened in both countries so I will not be surprised when I hear the worst. Growing up I have always learned about MLK, but to finally see and really understand what happened in the U.S. is crazy because actual people were physically hurt. I cannot imagine the world this way. Mandela and King should never be forgotten for their courage and movements they led.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Selma and Long Walk to Freedom Analysis
This week we watched two films, Selma and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. While watching these films I took into consideration the atrocities of slavery in the United States and apartheid in South Africa. I really enjoyed both these movies because they truly depicted what was going on in both countries and did not try to sugar coat anything. It's crazy that something like this took place in our country, but I am thankful for men like Dr. King and Nelson Mandela for fighting for equality and not giving up.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Leadership.
Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela both were civil rights leaders during a crucial period. Both of these great men lead a way in creating an equal country in the United States and South Africa, respectively. MLK and Mandela were both brought up by attending religious schools throughout their youth. Their fights against inequality were similar as they were both trying to take down a white majority. The white majority in both countries were a powerful leading group. These men saw it unjust for this to occur therefore they both took the initiative to fight against it. MLK was more of a peaceful protester while Mandela eventually turned to violence. Both men were awarded with the Noble Peace Prize.
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." -Nelson Mandela
This quote reflects the thoughts of both men. They both to me are brave men because they put their life at risk for the freedom and equality of all men which is something that they should be looked up to and never forgotten for. Their fight was not easy and although MLK did not have the chance to see a united America he fought his life and even lost it to his dream of unsegregated America. Mandela was able to bring South Africa out of apartheid even though it was not an easy thing to do. I'm sure they were afraid at points in their fights but they conquered that fear. MLK and Mandela had the voice and the initiative that many do not have instilled in them.
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." -Nelson Mandela
This quote reflects the thoughts of both men. They both to me are brave men because they put their life at risk for the freedom and equality of all men which is something that they should be looked up to and never forgotten for. Their fight was not easy and although MLK did not have the chance to see a united America he fought his life and even lost it to his dream of unsegregated America. Mandela was able to bring South Africa out of apartheid even though it was not an easy thing to do. I'm sure they were afraid at points in their fights but they conquered that fear. MLK and Mandela had the voice and the initiative that many do not have instilled in them.
Monday, February 9, 2015
South Africa's History
After this week's readings, my perspective of South Africa is completely different. I knew what apartheid was but did not know much about it. South Africa has an interesting history making the country so diverse. Since apartheid was so recent the country still has building up to do for the tension between race and culture is still in existence. The government and its people are still trying to build up the country and create new policies to make South Africa a better place.
I was really surprised by all the colonization that was made and between different settlers in South Africa. I did not know anything about this so it was really interesting in reading the history. It really took me by surprise how the Boers were so religiously inspired. They prayed before the Battle of Blood River which is where they defeated the Zulu warriors. Their victory reassured them that "white predominance over blacks is God's own will".
A challenge I see for the country is that apartheid is still so recent that race is a very touchy subject. With the older generation who lived through this they are going to be very sensitive about changes going on. With that being said the younger generation can be taught that this was wrong and they need to implement changes to their communities. As a strength they are very diverse so this will bring many opinions into place they just need to find a strong leader to organize everything which is something they do not have at the moment.
The top three sports in South Africa are cricket, soccer, and rugby. The way rugby is described to be to South Africans reminds me of how football is to Americans. If the their team wins its excitement over if they lose their is so much disappointment. Its really interesting how during apartheid rugby was known as the white mans sport and soccer was for colored people. Thing have changed however they are still trying to make the sport available to all people of South Africa. The Springboks is where more people of color play the game.
My question to Dr. Gilmour is what is the biggest change he has seen occur in South Africa.
I was really surprised by all the colonization that was made and between different settlers in South Africa. I did not know anything about this so it was really interesting in reading the history. It really took me by surprise how the Boers were so religiously inspired. They prayed before the Battle of Blood River which is where they defeated the Zulu warriors. Their victory reassured them that "white predominance over blacks is God's own will".
A challenge I see for the country is that apartheid is still so recent that race is a very touchy subject. With the older generation who lived through this they are going to be very sensitive about changes going on. With that being said the younger generation can be taught that this was wrong and they need to implement changes to their communities. As a strength they are very diverse so this will bring many opinions into place they just need to find a strong leader to organize everything which is something they do not have at the moment.
The top three sports in South Africa are cricket, soccer, and rugby. The way rugby is described to be to South Africans reminds me of how football is to Americans. If the their team wins its excitement over if they lose their is so much disappointment. Its really interesting how during apartheid rugby was known as the white mans sport and soccer was for colored people. Thing have changed however they are still trying to make the sport available to all people of South Africa. The Springboks is where more people of color play the game.
My question to Dr. Gilmour is what is the biggest change he has seen occur in South Africa.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
The truth about who YOU REALLY are
After reading "Unpacking the Knapsack of Privilege" and "Who am I" I see myself differently. In the sense that due to our race, ethnicity and gender we are supposed to uphold a specific image to society. I do not believe it should be this way. As I do believe some of us have more privilege then others we should not let that define us.
In "Who am I" I found it super interesting how the author discussed when an individual is part of a dominant group or category he/she does not state it. For example a white student hardly every states they are white opposed to a Black or Hispanic student. I had never analyzed this but I have seen it happen around me. I believe someone that is outside of the norms states their position because it makes it easier for them to let others know they are not like most of the people around before others start judging them. Adding to being privileged by race or ethnicity we can also be privileged based on our sex. Men are usually seen to be able to do more than a woman can and that should not be the case. We should be seen as equals and have an equal life in everyday activities. White over black. Men over women. We need to break the stereotype.
The fact that really stood out to me was most variation is within not between "races".
This means that two people of the same race can be by far genetically different than two people of different races. I think this would come to a shock to people. How is that they can share more similarities with someone who looks nothing like them? This teaches not to judge a book by its cover and that race is really only skin deep. Once you analyze beyond someone's skin color there is more than meets the eye. We all need to learn to be considerate of others and not determine a person's life by their appearance.
In "Who am I" I found it super interesting how the author discussed when an individual is part of a dominant group or category he/she does not state it. For example a white student hardly every states they are white opposed to a Black or Hispanic student. I had never analyzed this but I have seen it happen around me. I believe someone that is outside of the norms states their position because it makes it easier for them to let others know they are not like most of the people around before others start judging them. Adding to being privileged by race or ethnicity we can also be privileged based on our sex. Men are usually seen to be able to do more than a woman can and that should not be the case. We should be seen as equals and have an equal life in everyday activities. White over black. Men over women. We need to break the stereotype.
The fact that really stood out to me was most variation is within not between "races".
This means that two people of the same race can be by far genetically different than two people of different races. I think this would come to a shock to people. How is that they can share more similarities with someone who looks nothing like them? This teaches not to judge a book by its cover and that race is really only skin deep. Once you analyze beyond someone's skin color there is more than meets the eye. We all need to learn to be considerate of others and not determine a person's life by their appearance.
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