I saw, to my surprise, a
Those people make me think that affirmative action is a good thing. Maybe not so much in its application, but in theory its definitely fair.
I know its racially discriminatory. But it just so happens that our social classes are divided by race (mostly anyway). Blame apartheid. Or blame that for apartheid. Wait no, blame someone else.
Anyway, the point is, race is connected to riches in this country. It's just how it is.
It's just ridiculous to the poor to get an education on par with the rich. They don't have the facilities, and their communty doesn't have the education. Even if one should be super motivated to get a tertiary education, how would he do that? He doesn't have the funds, and not everyone gets bursaries. Even secondary education is few and far between. Never mind all that. Come to think of it,** even basic literacy is scarce.
So a qualification cannot be the only ruler. Backround has to be taken in account. It's much easier to judge a person based on their skin colour than to research their family history.***
* There are many exceptions to this rule.
** Yes, that's why I blog. To think.
*** Not that I'm at all for 'the easy way out'.
You're sort of on the right track. Apartheid was about race, but it was very much an economic thing (like classes, but with a more visual application). It's also about culture... many factors...
ReplyDeleteIt was also a fear-based thing. "Oooh, the tribal heathens are going to kill us off."
ReplyDeleteAnd mostly it was racial pride. Colonialists had this idea that they were better than everyone else and they just wanted to rule the world. That colonialism was carried over into our country. }*
*I think.
*Cough...
ReplyDeleteHow well acquainted are you with South African history REALLY?
Your statements seem to be slightly misinformed.
Actually not so misinformed but over simplistic and therefore misrepresentative...
ReplyDeleteDid you notice the little * and the 'I think'?
ReplyDeleteProbably misinformed *and* oversimplistic. I think racial pride, ease of identifying classes by their race, fear, and white colonialism were factors. No, I am not very well acquainted with apartheid history. Just a ramble of thoughts and opinions. :)
I noticed the "I think".
ReplyDeleteThe question was rhetorically pedagogical in nature.
Also I didn't say Apartheid history, I said South African history...
...ah young Grasshopper...maybe we can teach you yet ;)
Same thing really...
ReplyDeleteGrasshopper?
Um... I'm hoping you're not ignorant to popular kung fu-type movie terminology... that would be really sad.
ReplyDeleteBe sad. :P
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen one of those Kung Fu movies. I have however heard several people called Grasshoppers...
It's not about the Kung-fu movies, it's about the reference.
ReplyDeleteGoogle is your friend.