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.
My experience with racism was when I was sixteen year old. I went to local store to get some snacks. When I came out the front of my car was mashed in. I ask some of the people in the parking lot had they seen anything, know one saw nothing. It was hard to believe that a parking lot full of people didn't see who mashed my car. That was my first esxperience with racism. It was hard to believe because of my skin color and protecting someone else everyone in the parking lot decided to not know what happen to my car. So I can really relate to what you are saying. I don't think about it often but it is always in the back of my mind.
ReplyDeleteJoy,
ReplyDeleteRacism is one area I have never understood. I have never understood why people feel they can or should judge others simply by the color of their skin. It is so frustrating for me to hear about instances where this has happened to people. As a child in school when I took history classes and I heard about the civil rights movement it seemed so long ago. As I've grown older and time has been put into perspective for me I realize it was not that long ago and I find that unacceptable (not that I have any say in the matter). I feel the same way regarding gay rights. Who am I to judge? I am not to judge, just as nobody else is to judge anyone based on color of skin, the language they speak or the person they love. I hope there truly comes a time when "all people are created equally".
Amy
Joy,
ReplyDeleteThe studies on many predominantly black countries are very dismal. I wonder why this is? It's as if society as a whole is trying to suppress our whole entire culture, where ever we live! I'm not saying that there are not other countries suffering the same kinds of discriminations, but we hear so much about Africa and Haiti that we begin to wonder about the balance of power and the real efforts being made to help these countries.
Racism...isn't it silly--that a person would determine the content of someone's character based on the genetic factos which constitue race, ethnicity, or nationality? It might as well be based on what a person eats (Vegetarianism), or on what they drive (Automobilism)...I'm being facetious about the latter.
ReplyDeleteIt's pitiful that the seed of racism still exists--as intelligent as we human beings are today--simply pitiful.