May 26th, “diversity literacy” and “we are because of them”

In the morning, we listened to Melissa Steyn. Her talk reemphasized the importance about diversity literacy, which can the talk the form of disability studies, feminist studies etc. These areas create a knowledge base to enhance the discourses around difference. Ideally, more knowledge should humanize and legitimize oppressed groups. An increase in the knowledge base is a mutual process. The oppressed and the oppressor could learn more about each other to break down stereotypes and potentially never see race.

Professor Steyn’s discussion about hegemonic identity makes me think about CU and the issues of partying/drinking. This is the hegemonic identity. How do we change such a dominant identity? I have been fortunate to have wonderful friends that do not need to drink to have a good time. We consider it ‘just what we do.’ At the same time, someone I know that parties a lot describes his habits with his friends as ‘just what we do.’ Both actions become the norm and otherizes the opposite. Furthermore, these mentalities have the potential to polarize when there is actually a spectrum. Stereotypes are dangerous for this reason and decrease diversity. If South Africa really is to be a ‘rainbow nation,’ then there is a spectrum of difference. Perhaps, seeing a spectrum versus a polarized nation of identity would increase interaction and understanding.

However, South Africa is increasingly unequal. Steyn’s comments about whiteness having economic power versus political power reminds me of Pierre Bourdieu’s writing on capital. Bourdieu describes 3 categories: cultural, social and economic. In present day South Africa, a white person is tremendously likely to be wealthy and have high economic capital. High cultural capital comes in the form of the necessity of speaking English. The use of language demonstrates a manifestation of power. Furthermore, English holds of position of higher international credibility.

Later this day, we went to the Slave Lodge and the South African Museum. The phrase ‘we are because of them’ sticks with me from the Slave Lodge. Although slavery is an ugly part of many countries pasts, it is important not to ignore it. The Slave Lodge is a place of truth telling and memorialization. Again, I am reminded about the power of archaeology in telling untold stories. Archaeology has been used to reveal the lives of slaves at the Slave Lodge. In not ignoring the past and making efforts to reveal untold stories, healing can occur. Ideally, acknowledging the past will promote justice in the future. This quote made me think: “At the Cape from 1711 to 1795 slaves outnumbered colonists.” With ever increasing inequality, are the poor still slaves? With ‘The One and Only’ hotel having two workers per guest, how far has South Africa (and the world) come besides a formal abolition of slavery?

Like Professor Steyn was saying about political versus economic power, black South Africans are not the most powerful group. There is hope that with the vote and political voice working conditions will not be as bad as under slavery. Economic inequality cannot be destroyed with a legal document like slavery was made illegal. With the truth telling that occurs at places like the Slave Lodge, a dialogue on basic human rights does occur and could apply to modern day life and dialogues.

At the South Africa Museum: The sociable weavers at the South Africa museum could be an example found in nature of an inclusive community. We talk about interdependence as part of the reconciliation process and building a peaceful future. Interdependence now may need to be constructed by the government when it was once part of nature.