UCALUCALULO ISSUE 1, 15 OCTOBER 2017 THINKING ABOUT REAL ISSUES ONE PAGE AT A TIME.
Real Issues 03
The Brains Behind It
04
Letter from the Editorial Team
05 The Race Card RU, Really Dealing with Racism and Discrimination? 06 What is Racism? 07 Sex Education is Homophobic Pink Washing: It’s More than Just the L and the G 08 Not Long and Silky? UNACCEPTABLE 09
University: Where Diversity is Overrated
10 What is Discrimination? 11 What makes a racist, a racists? Where to from here?
Front Page illustrated by Deepika Naidoo
The Brains Behind It
Jessica Hepburn
Deepika ‘Pika’ Naidoo
Jessica plans on completing her Bachelor of Journalism here at Rhodes University, and also majoring in English Literature. She is very interested in digital design and sees herself using it in her near future. When she is not working on her acedemics, she enjoys listening to music and going to the gym.
Pika is a Journalism and Politics student, that has a passion for LGBT+ issues, mental and physical health and discrimnation. They are also clarinetist and enjoy snorkeling.
Naledi Masango Naledi is a journalism and Media Studies student also majoring in Drama. She is a lover of everything artistic. She also enjoys being alone in silence.
Noluvuyo Vuvu Kunge Vuvu is a 3rd year BA student, major ing in Journalism and Anthropology. she is a huge fan of Umhlobo-Wenene Radio Station, and hopes to be part of the station one day. She enjoys watching food shows and cooking.
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Letter from the editorial team I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their colour. — Malcolm X
T
he question of racism in today’s world has been one that boils up furiously without reaching any kind of satisfactory conclusion on the topic. Even mentioning it, racism together with discrimination has been the main reason for recent and older country outrages. The uproar of discrimination and racism has always been an unquestionable one. After the apartheid regime, racism was much understated; this is why today we live in a very controversial era. Many of us thought that racism would stay behind with apartheid; instead, it followed into this democratic dominion, not taking into account the fundamental yet debatable issues that have remained stained in our daily lives throughout post- apartheid. Today because of racism, we have incidents like the #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh protest. Schools are the breeding ground of racism. In August, the #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh protest made international news. Thirteenyear- old, Zulaikha Patel led a group of grade 8 girls to protest over racial abuse by teachers and institutional racism in their school. One of the issues was that the school forbids black girls from having any African hairstyles that do not meet the school’s standard of “neatness”. Another example of a recent incident is a teacher who victimised a student based on race at St. John’s College. However, racism does transcend the classroom and into our daily lives as modern South Africans. What we must emphasise is that we are unable to undo the legacy of a unique system such as apartheid overnight. Through this publication, we feel that it is our responsibility to strive continuously towards reconciliation, transformation and nationhood as university students/ young South Africans. After all, nation states are political constructs and therefore have to be consistently moulded through social engineering. It is dangerous to our democracy for anyone in this society to hold the view that racism is a given. That notwithstanding, some people in our society are still stuck to racism and this social problem is what we aim to address in our publication. The challenge that racism and discrimination poses to sustainable peace and reconciliation in South African campuses cannot overemphasised. Until we address the social divisions through this publication because of the history of racism and discrimination, our quest for fixing this problem is likely to remain unresolved.
The Race Card By Naledi Masango
D
iscrimination and racism in
and white but also within the
schools and all around the
Another form of dis-
black community. A while ago,
crimination on campus
globe is a big issue. People are
there was an incident at the
is people who “claim” they
slowly starting to take a stand on
Rhodes University at the student
are liberal. Rhodes Univer-
discrimination and racism. With
bureau where a black student
sity is a space where a lot
the help of social media, peo-
who tried to explain in IsiXhosa
of people are free to proudly
ple are now able to share their
to a black Xhosa-speaking lady,
disclose their sexuality and not
experiences of discrimination
was just disregarded by her say-
feel sorry about it.
and racism in different forms.
ing “thetha i’English” (speak in
Due to this, people think
Discrimination can come in
English). The black student left
they are liberal but this is not
a direct form. This discrimina-
because she felt as though she
true. Some male/
tion is often based on negative
couldn’t articulate and express
female
attitudes, stereotypes and bias.
her problem properly, and that
students
Looking at the discrimination on
disadvantaged her to get help.
in certain
campus -from the information I
Mantsane Ntsane says that she
residents are
gathered- an example of direct
used to feel very out of place
very homopho-
discrimination on campus will be
in her tutorials because she
bic and make
how black people are catego-
didn’t get the same treatment
antagonizing com-
rised under one cloud because
other white kids received. “We
ments towards the
of stereotypes (lazy, loud, ob-
are always looked down upon
LGBT+ community for
noxious, rude, speak different
because our ideas are seen as
not being “straight” or
English, nappy hair).
irrelevant and we don’t present
heteronormative. “Most
ourselves the way they want” she
discrimination and racism
says.
is internalized”.
Discrimination can also come in an indirect form. This discrimination is not only among black
King and Queen Cards, depicting the issue with race. Photo by Jessica Hepburn
RU, Really dealing with racism and discrimination? By Jessica Hepburn
D
ingaan Booi, Vice President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) spoke about racism and discrimination at Rhodes University and how the SRC Body is
dealing with these issues through actions they are putting into place. Rhodes University, like many other Universities in South Africa has a problem. Booi explains that, “racism and discrimination at Rhodes starts from the top management. It can be seen as structural racism.” Structural racism is the normalized and
Racism and discrimination is not only a sensitive subject at Rhodes University, but at all universities in South Africa. With most protests becoming violent and disruptive to all students, It is ironic as there are laws in South Africans with regards to basic human rights against racism and discrimination in South Africa. Which makes one wonder why the students in South African universities are protesting around these topics? On the 8 August 2017, Rhodes University hosted The Grazzle night, where each
legitimized range of policies, practices, and
candidate for the upcoming SRC elections was allocated four minutes
attitudes that produce cumulative and chronic
to make their presentation and answer questions, Kuda Chingono who is
adverse outcomes for people of different colour. This is an issue that the SRC has been working on for many years to overcome, and has formed a transformation organisation that, “participates in dialogues regarding transformation within Rhodes University on behalf
Racism and discrimination at Rhodes starts from the top management. It can be seen as structural racism.
running for president said, “I have experienced many types of oppression. It has taught me to identify issues and I will use this strength to ensure that all discrimination at UCKAR (University Currently known as Rhodes) is combated.” As it can be seen, the future of Rhodes is looking to combat the issues around racism and discrimination. When looking at Rhodes University, the SRC has put not only their
of the students, and aiming towards developing
transformation organisation but multiple talks of the topic of racism and
a clear plan of action to minimise or eradicate
discrimination and as Booi explains, “People need to speak about the topic
racism on campus” says Booi.
to work through it.”
THINKING ABOUT REAL ISSUES ONE PAGE AT A TIME
WHAT IS RACISM?
“In our understanding, racism can take many forms, such as jokes or comments that cause offense or hurt, sometimes unintentionally, namecalling or verbal abuse, harassment or intimidation, or commentary in the media or online that inflames hostility towards certain groups.” - The Team “The belief that a particular race or ethnicity is inferior or superior to others is sometimes used to justify inequalities of racism and discrimination.” - Sinaye Mtotywa, Journalism student at Rhodes University “It is any action or attitude, conscious or unconscious that subordinates an individual or group based on skin colour or race, it can be enacted individually or institutionally.” - Lwando Tutu, Law student at Rhodes University “The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.” - Sia Mausi, Journalism student at Rhodes University “Racism is when you are reminded that you are different, through ways big and small” - Jordan Navarro, Criminal Justice student at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley “The subjugation of people based on race, and in current society black people are the victims of such.” - Deepika Naidoo, Editor
06
Sex education is homophobic
By Deepika Naidoo
S
ex education has a very narrow curriculum
cation in schools is the teaching of abstinence
what constitutes as sex. We are not taught that
that is heteronormative and does not wholly
as well as not having a comprehensive idea of
oral sex is actual sex. This causes strong insecuri-
teach sex to children. In South Africa, we are
sex.Abstinence is not a. Out of 7000 children in
ties and problems with sexually active people.
faced with a crisis that is a lack of understand-
South Africa, 15% have had sex before their 16th
ing of sex and sexual health. This is partly due to
birthday. Moreover, the implementation of the
South Africa’s conservative history and the way
inclusive sex education that is supported by the
we have understood sex through a lens that ex-
government is not implemented in all schools
cludes queer and transgender people. The types
across South Africa.
Virginity is a social construct.
of sex and the construction of virginity is a prob-
Virginity is a social construct. This point is sorely
lem as it binarize and stigmatises sex with certain
lacking in high school sex education that focuses
Zuma’s rape trial, our president sorely lacked
bodies. Part of the problem can be attributed to
on penetrative sex that includes a vagina and a
understanding of sex claiming that oral sex
the problematic comments said by our President
penis. There is barely any mention of sex between
isn’t real sex. Moreover with his homophobic
Jacob Zuma regarding sexual health. Sex educa-
people with penises and people with vaginas as
comments, how can South African society
tion in South Africa needs to be amended and
it is assumed that people are straight. This poses
have a decolonized/non-heteronormative
more inclusive of different kinds of sex.
problems as people part of the LGBT+ commu-
understanding of sex with conservative notions
nity and straight people do not fully understand
still perpetuated by President Jacob Zuma?
A core problem within South Africa’s sex edu-
When discussing the case of President Jacob
Pink washing – it’s more than just the L and the G By Deepika Naidoo
M
uch like colourism affects people within communities of colour, erasure
Pride until this day. The complete erasure of people of colour within the LGBT+
and discrimination against certain members of the rainbow alphabet
community is still persistent today and should be the focus of eradicating as
(LGBT+ community) is prevalent from both straight and LGBT+ community
an intercommunity goal.
members. The discrimination has its roots within the origins of the group’s politi-
The alphabet shouldn’t be growing, according to many members of the
cal discourse during the early beginnings. The lack of intersectionality and ac-
LGBT+ community. In recent years with the invention of the Kinsey scale that
ceptance of the ever-growing rainbow identity has led to infighting and much
frames sexuality as being on a spectrum, more and more people have been
animosity for those who do not identify as lesbian or gay.
sticking to the old brand of gay. This includes the exclusion of bisexual and
Being black and queer is not seen as palatable from time immemorial. The 1950s was a blooming time for racism and much of that did not differ within the LGBT+ community. The named gay liberation movement at the time branded themselves as the other i.e. They made sure to adhere to norms and compliment the straight
transgender people.. Bisexuality and transgender identity has had
The alphabet shouldn’t be growing, according to many members of the LGBT+ community.
community: a white cisgender gay man. It is now what we call pinkwashing. This kind of exclusionary behaviour is no stranger to the
strong misunderstandings as the definition and understanding of sexuality is a constant changing process. The conservatism within the community has created forms of discrimination that need to be addressed. We have yet to see progress in the community. If Marsha P. Johnson (a black trans woman who was the face of the integral
Stonewall Inn riot) has been white washed by Hollywood how can the com-
queer community in South Africa. At the Gay Pride Jo’Burg in 2012, black queer
munity move towards liberation? Prejudices within communities need to be
women protesting the deaths of black lesbians in South Africa were met with
addressed in the discourse of the ever growing rainbow alphabet.
violent racism from the white organizers of the march thus leading to a split
Not long and silky?
UNACCEPTABLE By Naledi Masango
B
lack students in high schools are recently starting to protest to be heard and treated
they said, “They go around posting signs about the ethos of equality for all the girls at
as equally as the non-blacks.
the school, but that is not true,” said one 15-year-old student. “It feels like they don’t want
Late last year around September a protest was started by Pretoria High School for girl’s
pupil, who felt that they have had enough and cannot stand the racism in their school
to accept the fact that we’re African.” “It’s degrading,” said a classmate, also 15, “If we don’t stick up for ourselves, no one’s going to.”
anymore. This debacle was caused by the fact that black students were always told to
“I also went to a semi-private school and I can relate to some of the things that the high
“fix” their hair and make it look presentable. This didn’t sit well with them because their
school kids are going through. I had to hide my hair all the time because it is was painful
hair looked neat and had no problem. In previous years, students were not as confident
to comb in the morning and I was told that it looks ‘untidy’ if I leave my afro and it is not
to start a protest or a hashtag about racism in their school because they would either
in a pony,” says Athini Majali. She continued and explained how at that time they didn’t
be expelled or the matter will be dealt with behind closed doors. The Pretoria Girls High
see it as being oppressed even though it might have made them angry, they didn’t see
pupil started the #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh which trended on social media and
it in a light of racism because some of the white pupils in the school were also called
opened a platform for other high school learners to open up about the struggles they
out if their hair was not according to the school rules. “It is only now that I realized that
face at their schools.
we were actually made to believe that our natural hair doesn’t look nice when it doesn’t have chemicals or when it is undone” says Majali. The same incident happened in Port
A student was not allowed to write exams because she had an Afro.
Elizabeth were a student was not allowed to write exams because she had an Afro. Recently this year in June another incident happened, where a group of learners were sent back home because their hair was not according to the code of conduct of the school. A parent took pictures of them and took it to Twitter before going to address the matter at school. The parent felt that after the #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh all the high schools code of conduct should be amended. What made her more furious is the
“Pretoria High School for Girls, founded in 1902, was an all-white school under apartheid, despite its founding headmistress’s vision of it as a place where “girls of different
fact that these girls were going to write their June exams soon and are going to miss some of the work for their exams just because of how their natural hair looks like.
races and different denominations might meet in that commonwealth of letters.” The
Noko Pela, a Rhodes University MA student, says “coming from a local boarding school
school admitted its “first black, non-diplomatic pupils” in 1991, according to its website”.
in Limpopo, we as boys were always taught to be clean. We were told a ‘man’ should
Hombakazi Denge, a Rhodes University student, says “Back when I was in high school I
not have hair and ladies were not allowed to have hanging hair. We knew from grade 7
had friends who went to school in private schools or middle-class government schools.
that we need to look a certain way in order to be considered neat.” He continued to say
They would always complain about how they have to do their hair a certain way so that
that parents also have a role in how girls present themselves at school because parents
they don’t get punished for hair that looks untidy.” These problems have always been
always tell girls to look a certain way so that they don’t attract people or that certain hair-
there but never dealt with in the correct way. Parents would oblige to rules of the school
styles are for certain age groups.
and try to make it easier for their kids at school but some would still be send back home. After some of the kids were talked to and interviewed under anonymity this is what
Nosibabalo and Athini with hairstyles that are not deemed acceptable by schools like Pretoria Girls’ High School. Picture by: Naledi Masango
We still have a long way to go as a “rainbow nation”, and this means dealing with racism and discrimination opening and not behind closed doors.
Athini showing off her head wrap which has been deemed unnacptable in society. Picture by: Naledi Masango
Diversity in University is Overrated By Noluvyo Kunge
Is racism really over at institutions like Rhodes University in Grahamstown? Image taken by Noluvuyo Kunge
I
t seems that even though some of the smartest
Lulu Makeleni, a fourth year Anthropology honours
Asking her if people of colour could ever be un-
student says during her early days in second year, she
derstood along with their experiences in order for this
versity campuses around the country, race relations in
was one of 5 black students in a class of more than
institution to be a better place, Xolela Mazungula, a
South African university populations are just as prob-
30 people. “We studied William Grant” she says, “one
Sociology masters student says, “Think of it this way, if
lematic as in the rest of the world.
of the first black composers. The textbook featured a
someone punches me in the arm several times, it is
minds of every generation find themselves on uni-
poem he had written sometime in the 1920s, written
going to leave a pretty painful and large bruise. So
as a first year, Sibusiso Kutase got her first taste of what
as a black man from the twenties spoke (dem instead
if someone else were to lightly tap my arm after it’s
it was going to be like as a student of colour at the
of them, der instead of there). Our white professor
been beaten and bruised, I might have an extreme
country’s most elite universities. She ran into a for-
asked me to read the poem aloud, which I did in the
reaction. If my sleeve was covering this enormous
mer classmate from Morningside High School in Port
way that I usually speak. The professor then said: “No.
bruise, the other person might have no idea why I
Elizabeth, who greeted her with a puzzled look on her
Do it again. You know how it’s supposed to sound.” I
yelled in pain. In fact, it could be argued that I was
face. “Sbu, what are you doing here?”
replied, “I can’t read it because that’s not my culture.”
“oversensitive” to their harmless slight touch. And in
“I’m walking to class,” she said. Her former class-
Makeleni was forced to blacker than she already was,
fact, saying “you’re too sensitive,” ends up causing
mate look baffled. “Wait, you go to school here?” To
a feeling of “Being singled out in class,” she explains.
even more distress, as it tells me that I shouldn’t feel
In her early days on the Rhodes University campus
hurt after all those punches.”
Kutase, an athlete who worked hard in high school to get top grades, whose guiding philosophy was to disprove stereotypes about black township girls, there was a clear subtext to the awkward question: Do you really belong here?
Racism is not over.
At schools across the country, from the Universities
slights, I hold in my reactions and stifle the pain. No one is going to know that I’m hurting. This is because if I show any negative emotional reaction, I risk being called something even worse than oversensitive. I
“Racism is not over,” says Kutase, “It’s in our face every single day.”
“But for the most part, when I encounter racial
Meanwhile, minority students continue to be less likely to be enrolled at elite universities and to be
become the dreaded Angry Black Woman.” South African universities have to commit them-
to Colleges, students of colour are showing that they
awarded good honours degrees, even when prior at-
selves to future change, not only in terms of a chang-
feel disconnected from their respective schools, that
tainment and socioeconomic status have been taken
ing student population or curriculum but in terms
implicit yet institutionalized racism creates emotional
into account. Since they also experience lower reten-
of major societal change. A university which is truly
distance between them and their white peers and
tion rates and progression rates from undergraduate
concerned with education needs 'to liberate, to open
faculties. Being a black student on a predominantly
study to both employment and postgraduate study,
up the mind, to prepare people to create, to reform
white campus doesn’t guarantee that the student will
it is not altogether surprising that they express signifi-
culture, to change, to question and to act. Through
develop mental-health issues. However, various stud-
cantly less satisfaction with their university experience
racism awareness programmes, the university cam-
ies suggest that perceived or actual discrimination
than their white peers and for staff members, some of
puses can fulfil this educational role and ensure its
can make it hard for students of colour to engage
them used to be called out for their fake degrees.
relevance to the changing social context.
with their campus in the way that their white peers do.
THINKING ABOUT REAL ISSUES ONE PAGE AT A TIME
WHAT IS DISCRIMINATION?
The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. The treatment or consideration of making a distinction in favor of or against a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit. treating a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin colour, sex, sexuality, etc Discrimination means unequal or different treatment or harassment that causes harm. To treat someone with a protected characteristic less favourably than others. People can be discriminated against for their race, colour, sex and gender identity, religion, political opinion, social origin, age, medical record, criminal record, marital status, impairment, disability, sexuality or trade union activity.
What makes a racist, a racist? By Jessica Hepburn
W
hat makes someone a racist? This is a question that has been asked time and time again. If we’re all part of the human race, then why
are people racist? After all, there is no biological difference between people. No race is superior nor inferior to another, at the end of the day we are all the same. Racism as a whole is a very tricky thing to dive into as firstly, it has multiple definitions therefore it may not always be a good idea to call someone a racist. Many people do not have a clear grasp of what racism is. Instead, they think racism is something in which only extremists take part in. This means that even if a person does something that screams textbook “racist” to you, the individual in question will very likely disagree, making your decision to identify him as such a known cause
Racism has become somewhat a taboo that people do not wish to talk about. Then another question arises, “how does racism differ from discrimination?” Discrimination is a practice of prejudicial treatment of people based upon alleged differences between people such as gender, age, colour of skin, racial affinities and many more. However, racism is a subcategory of discrimination that is a practice of prejudicial treatment of people or other races, group, communities e.t.c., Because the feeling of superiority of one’s own race and culture, racism is also a denounced concept and is more popular in today's society than discrimination that has led to conflicts and wars between people of many different races. Racism has become somewhat a taboo that people do not wish to talk about. This is because each ethnic group feels strongly about their own culture, so much that they are not willing to compromise their feelings and converse with each other without getting into heated arguments. Racism, as well as discrimination, is terrible, which we all agree with. At the end of the day, racism needs to be spoken about for it to be overcome and understood by all people to fix the problems that people feel towards racism and discrimination It's difficult to say what makes someone a racist as people are not labelled, “racist” or “non-racist” but in today’s society, we need to look at the term racism and discrimination and understand that they are two different words with two different meanings.
Where to from here? By Noluvuyo Kunge
F
rom the photo response to President Ba-
In the past several months, students have
rack Obama’s first tweets as president,
watched Donald Trump use racist, islamo-
to racist
chants, the numerous deaths
phobic, misogynist, and anti-immigrant
of unarmed black men by police, to the
rants to whip up a terrifying level of sup-
incident of an inhumane video of Univer-
port, with ominous repercussions no matter
sity of the Free State employees on their
who wins the election.
knees eating food which had been urinat-
Even as Black Lives Matter has spear-
ed upon by white students. Even with this
headed a growing movement against
extensive list of incidents, the silence can
racial violence, we have been subjected
be observable on campuses. Campus
to an unending stream of racial brutal-
students and staff leaders are struggling to
ity, whereas all of us need to be open to
start, as well as stay in the conversation of
learning about structural and institutional
racism and discrimination.
racism. Our institutions should be talking
After several decades of segregation
about it. Our mass media should be ex-
between people of colour and whites,
posing it. Our researchers should be docu-
subtle remains now pose a forthcoming
menting it. Beginning at an early age, chil-
threat to our country’s future. These forms
dren in primary schools should be taking
of racism are everywhere, but we cannot
lessons on it. We should Google it, read
even look them in the eye and fight back.
books about it and share articles about it.
We are not given lessons on these com-
The Anti-Racism Network of South Africa
plex subjects in school, even those who
sponsors public workshops and other pro-
went on to earn advanced degrees. There
grams that delve into these topics, this
are no public service campaigns help-
organisation also schedules activities de-
ing raise awareness or break down these
signed to help broaden our perspective
concepts so we can talk about them over
and understanding on issues of racism
dinner. While there has been written about
and discrimination. Several of our com-
these topics, it is impossible to do them
munity members have a great deal of ex-
justice in a just a few words.
pertise on the matter, and frequently take part in panel discussions and other public dialogue.
UCALUCALULO Is the mixture of both the terms racism and discrimination, which is our main theme throughout the magazine. The direct translation of ucalucalulo is also unequal treatment because of someone’s sex, skin colour, language, religion and culture.