My earliest memory of racism was at 10 yrs old after my parents divorced. My mother, sister, and I moved away from a diverse neighborhood into a predominantly white suburb. Although there were some African Americans who lived in the area, brown faces were not common. My sister and I were dropped off at a nearby childcare facility near our apartment complex. I have very few memories from this place, but I do remember being teased because we were African-American. The teasing became so routine, the staff kept us separated from the other children. For example, there was White time in the pool and there was Black time in the pool.
I coped with the situation the same way I cope now, withdraw. I am an introvert anyway, so this is easy to do. I do not remember if I told my mother, nor do I recall interventions to improve the situation. It's just a bad memory, now.
I was interested in racism in South Africa, because I have not heard much about their progress since apartheid was dismantled in 1994. Apartheid was a national policy of legalized racism against the Coloured and Black population. South Africa’s racist policies came to an ugly head during the 1976 Soweto Uprising when children protested their inferior education and the ban on learning in their own language. The students organized the peaceful protest, but it turned bloody when police arrived and killed over 400 and injured more than 2000 (Tin, et. al, 200X). So, while children played a significant role in the liberation movement, 18.8 million South African children (all races) are still impacted by 350 years of institutionalized racism. As of 2006, only 38 – 47% of Black households have running water, electricity, and sanitation (UNICEF, 2009). In 2004, sixth grade national achievement tests revealed that children who live in the poorest communities in remote areas who have not been allowed to learn in their own language(Black children) perform the worst. Only 7% of schools even have libraries (UNICEF, 2009). If children are deprived of education, access to health care, and a quality education, they will experience stress. “Perceived racial differences lead to discrimination, and racial identity affects cognition” (Berger, 2009, p. 15). In South Africa, racism is not perceived: racism was and still is very real. The government recognizes the gaps and formed the Conventions of the Rights of the Child, African Charter on Rights and Welfare of the Child and the National Integration Plan for Early Childhood which attempts to address comprehensive services for children. In fact, the Office of the Rights of the Child was moved under the President to ensure children’s rights are a priority. If one considers the significant legislation that has been passed over a 17 year period to protect children, the government has done quite a bit to undo the harm of racism. However, I could not find any longitudinal studies to assess the psychosocial or cognitive impact of racism on the oppressed children of South Africa. More research is needed.
References:
UNICEF. (2009, April). Situation Analysis of Children in South Africa. Retrieved from
Tin, H. (2001). Children in Violent Spaces. Reinterpretation of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. Retrieved from http://www.ninaoghjalte.dk/downloads/forskning/10.pdf
Berger, K. S. (2009). Introduction, The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). (p. 15). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
