Week 5 - Challenging Culture

In this week’s blog I am going to share with you some of the things I have experienced this week and discuss how South Africa has changed and transformed itself into the country it is today.

On a Sunday afternoon while waiting for pizza in a local bar with friends we got talking to an older white South African man. While the man may have had one drink too many his words were a powerful insight into a darker side of South African history. When the man asked if we were enjoying our time in Port Elizabeth we said that we were having a fantastic time. The man laughed and commented how ‘things were better years ago when we were in charge’ – referring to the apartheid era. His comments about the culturally diverse and accepting South Africa of today were not what I expected to hear.

Tuesday night is karaoke night at Captains, and that usually ends up with a bunch of international students on the stage singing ridiculously. This Tuesday night while on the wooden deck to the front of the building my friend asked an older black man for the lend of his lighter. The man immediately said no and rubbed the skin on his arm. As we turned to leave and ask someone else the man’s daughter apologised for her father’s behaviour and invited us to sit down. This was the first time I had experienced this kind of reception while here. I explained to the man that most people my age do not judge someone by the colour of their skin. The man apologised and explained that ‘it’s hard to forget the past, because it happened to us’. There was something powerful in this statement that brought home how the past can influence today.

While observing a Life Orientation class on racism I was taken back by a comment by one of the white children in the class. He commented how black people were not capable of running a country properly. After the teacher questioned his opinion, it became apparent that this was what his grandfather said, showing how a culture of racism can be passed through generations.

However I believe that these people represent a South Africa of yesterday and that the majority of today’s young South Africans represent a change in attitudes and a change in culture. Young people here, whether black, white or coloured, see neither colour nor creed as a barrier to friendship. I believe that the young people of today are able to forget the past and are able to even joke to each other about it. More powerful is the thought that the changes we make today can influence the world of tomorrow.

As a teacher it is inspiring to see how a generation can be transformed so dramatically. It is a powerful thought to think that as an educator, it is not only your responsibility to lead the change but also to create the change. I think of the boy in the Life Orientation class repeating his grandparent’s words and feel the responsibility of challenging misconceptions. It is an inspiring thought to think that my future career as a teacher can positively influence so many lives.

The transformation of this country into the ‘rainbow nation’ of today poses challenges to us all. How should we change ourselves personally, our thoughts and opinions, and how can we transform elements of our own society or our University for the better. In Stranmillis people tend to stay within their own click of friends and are inclined not to leave that bubble. Indeed I feel many tend to judge first before knowing the person. I think we are all guilty of it at times. I think it’s the little changes that have the biggest influence and I think that it’s important to question ourselves, our society and our culture. The transformation of this country is far from complete, but it can certainly be an inspiration for us all!

We finished our week with a visit to Bay World in Port Elizabeth. Along with a trip through the museum we got the chance to see penguins crocodiles and turtles which were all within touching distance - needless to say we didn't reach for the crocodile! 

Until next week,

Glenn