On that “most attractive race” thing in the UCT student newspaper
The UCT student newspaper, Varsity, caused a Twitter-mob to mobilise in publishing a graphic regarding the attractiveness of “races”. But doing so isn’t itself necessarily racist.
Democracy doesn’t magic us into equality
There are certainly issues worth debating related to affirmative action. Sunset clauses are one, and whether we should focus on class rather than race is another. But it’s beyond any reasonable doubt that one generation is far too short a time to think that a black job-seeker has an equal shot of success as a white one does.
Attention, white people in South Africa!
The impulse to think equality can only be effected by eliminating affirmative action is understandable. But we shouldn’t have discussions around discrimination without recognising that both fair and unfair discrimination are possible, and that an argument can be made that some racial discrimination might be entirely fair. When you reject that possibility out of hand, it’s hard to avoid questioning your motives, and your commitment to eventual non-racism.
SAA and justified racial discrimination
Solidarity, the DA and Freedom Front Plus were among the voices calling for SAA to scrap its plans for an allegedly racist cadet scheme. But if it’s excellence, or merit, that we’re looking to find, then we shouldn’t discount the possibility that you can only find it if you look harder – and in places that you might not look without affirmative action measures such as this.
Racist models: apparently worse than homophobes in the legislature.
The proposed Constitutional amendment removing sexual orientation as grounds for protection against discrimination, alongside the Traditional Courts Bill, are grounds for deep concern regarding the commitment some of our representatives feel towards social equality.
Racist Cape Town (redux)
Whether the idea that Cape Town is particularly racist is perception or reality, these are both problems. And we’re not going to fix whatever problems do exist by being offended, or by insulting those who make such claims.
Kuli Roberts, and the right to (offensive) free speech
The Kuli Roberts column, Bitch’s Brew, has been cancelled by Avusa and the Sunday World newspaper following the publication of a “racist” column which expressed various stereotypes related to a subsection of South Africans sometimes described as ‘coloureds’. But as offensive as the column might have been to some, is there ever a good reason to deny free expression of views?
Guns, booze, rednecks and traffic cops don’t mix (well)
Luke Fairweather, an ex-Western Province cricketer who also managed a Western Province youth cricket team, was shot by a traffic officer on January 5, and later died as a result. While tributes have been forthcoming from friends as well as cricket officials, the circumstances of his death, as well as his professed racist views, should not be discounted as possible contributors to his being shot.
Sala’s knee-jerk moralism on Annelie Botes award
The withdrawing of Annelie Botes’ Sala award is an instance of a moralistic reflex, rather than a considered and appropriate response to her offensive statements.
How should we respond to racists?
Allowing racists a platform allows us to present arguments against them, which provides a social pressure of exactly the right sort. We can perhaps do nothing about racists themselves, but silencing the racists might simply make it easier for others to take her place, without us ever knowing it.
