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Prejudice and Discrimination Article Ashshanti Bryant SOC/120 April 28, 2010 Renee’ B. Walker, Ph. D. Prejudice and Discrimination Article South Africa was colonized by the English and the Dutch traders in the seventeenth century. The English dominated the Dutch descendents which was called Boers or Afrikaners. This allowed the Dutch to establish new colonies of Orange Free State and Transvaal. To their amazement, diamonds were discovered on the lands in the 1900’s, and this is what contributed and caused the English invasion which led to the Boer War. Following independence from England, the tension between the two groups continued until the 1940’s. At this time the Afrikaner National Party was able to obtain the majority”(Factbook, 2010) . Strategists in the National Party invented apartheid, which is as a means of racial segregation that involves economic, political and legal discrimination against people who are not White. The Afrikaner National Party used this to put a strong hold, and to gain full control over the economic and social systems.
Nevertheless, the apartheid was trying to obtain as well as maintain white domination while extending racial separation. Furthermore, in the 1960’s a plan was proposed and executed called the “Grand Apartheid”, it implemented territorial separation and police repression. Race and ethnicity has a prominent position in our everyday lives. There is a clear differentiation between the two. According to studies, “Race is the framework of ranked categories dividing up the human population”(Cultural,2002). Ethnicity is concept referring to a shared culture and way of life, especially as reflected in language, folkways, religious and other institutional forms, material culture such as clothing and food, and cultural products such as music, literature, and art”(Ethnicity,2000). As of today, there is a large variety of people in South Africa, which is one of the most diverse countries in the world. There are four racial groupings in which three are minorities, there are 11 official languages, and a large gap between the rich and the poor, as well as large rowing communities of migrants and immigrants. Currently, there are various cultures as well as races and ethnicities that exist within South Africa. According to the 2001 census, “There are 9. 6% whites, 8. 9%, coloreds, and 2. 5% Indians and or Asians”(Factbook, 2009). Black Africans are taking on urban characteristics rapidly, and are becoming more familiar with the with the customs, and practices. Most Black Africans usually speak English or the Afrikaans language, as well as their native language. Their native languages consist of nine which includes the Bantu Language .
The Bantu Language has been around since 1994. Other languages includes the Zulu, Ndebele, Xhosa and Sotho, and the Swazi. The Sotho languages consists of the Northern Sotho, Tswana, and the Sotho There is also the Venda language which originates from Zimbabwe. Most urbanized black Africans speak several native languages, with Zulu being a primary language in Johannesburg and surrounding areas. The religion chosen by Black Africans are Christians, and they worship weekly. Blacks suffer greatly with discrimination and segregation today.
For decades Black, and Coloreds have fought for equal rights in life on the land as well as politics. In the 1960’s minorities began to fight against segregation(apartheid). Hence, in South Africa, the police commissioner has been linked murder and the mafia. This has induced the fight for power for the African National Congress.. Not only is there power struggles among top officials, but because of this the numbers of HIV cases are rising. Segregation(apartheid), and political turmoil, and denial of the government is the culprit behind the rise in deaths of the disease as well.
The whites is another race that inhabits in South Africa. They are the minority in South Africa, and their lifestyles are very similar to the whites that live in North America, Australasia, and Europe. Nevertheless, in their culture the whites take pride in sports. As with any race there are poor whites as well. Normally, they reside in more poor neighborhoods or as some call it, the slums. Some of the areas in which the poor habitats are called Ruyterwag, Goodwood, Maitland, Boksburg and Alberton. For entertainment the poor whites like to barbeque. Religious beliefs are also strong.
Thirdly, the Coloureds are another race that makes up a small amount of the population in South Africa. They were identified by the South African Government in the 1950’s. Their race is a mixture of European(white) and African(black),or Asian. During the apartheid era, the Coloureds suffered discrimination considerably. Discrimination literally refers to judging or differentiating between objects, persons or attributes. They were forced to relocate into more “black” areas, and they received educations lower than the education that the Whites received; however, it was better than the education that was provided to Black South Africans.
In politics they were not permitted to vote for white representatives. Today, the Coloreds are recognized in a new political order and accepted in society. Finally, there are the Asians in South Africa which make up a small amount of the population in South Africa. The Asians which are of the Indian origin, maintains their original culture, language and religion. Their religion consist of the Christian faith, Hindu or Muslim. Their language includes English, with Indian language. The Asians of South Africa are not discriminated against as bad as the Blacks Africans.
However, they did not receive equal rights as the White South Africans for three decade. Furthermore, Asians in South Africa are the second wealthiest ethnic group in the country. Many of their accomplishments were made after segregation was abolished. As with any other country, people of South Africa have to continuously fight for equality. There is discrimination against Afrikaners, and in the past there has been the same against white farmers. The white famers were killed by blacks in order to gain control. The point was proven and the white began to retreat.
Crimes against minorities still plague parts of South Africa today. If one was found or even thought to be “gay” you are killed and in some cases banned. For the fear of being killed, gays remain anonymous. However, under the constitution of 1996 “gays” and lesbians are suppose to be treated equally. White continue to have the most privileges and the upper hand in South African society. Poverty in South Africa continue to rise. South Africans have to deal with homelessness, unemployment, and hunger. Almost 2 million people in South Africa lives on one dollar a day. This country is rapidly becoming unable to feed itself.
In Black South African households, there is a lack of food and income to provide household needs. Nevertheless, Coloureds are doing much better. In the households of Asians South Africans and White South Africans the income is higher and they are more capable of providing the needs of their households. Even though the citizens of South Africa have suffered tremendous trials and tribulations, that does not change the fact that it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. South Africans have managed to overcome many obstacles, and continues to grow as of today,
References Ethnicity. (2000). In The Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from, http://www. credoreference. com Factbook (2010). South Africa. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://www. cia. gov Lerner, K. L. & Lerner, B. W. (Eds. ). (2004). Gale encyclopedia of science (3rd ed. , 6 vols. ). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from, Gale Virtual Reference Library via Gale: http://find. galegroup. com Race. (2002). In Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Anthropology. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from, http://www. credoreference. com