Essay on The Legacy of Apartheid in South Africa - 1635 Words

The strength of a nation is not established by the force of its military, economic standing, or government, but rather how its citizens are regarded. In order to attain strength, a nation must respect the principle of solidarity; the power of one voice. For without a defined sense of unity, a society is likely to crumble. Unfortunately, as seen throughout history, civilization has often made it their mission to seek out the differences in one another instead of accepting them. This fear of the unknown has led to humankind’s most despicable behavior; the separation of individuals due to their physical attributes. â€Å"Racism is mans gravest threat to man...the maximum of hatred for a minimum reason -Abraham Heschel .† Not only has racism†¦show more content†¦The colonial society of Boers consisted of more than fifty thousand British and Dutch settlers, from both lower and middle class standings in their homeland. These settlers had been allotted one hundred ac re lots from the British government to farm South Africa. However, upon their arrival many Boers switched from farm work to artisans, working in the production industry, military, trading, or producing wine and grain. Moreover, many Boers had non-white Africans working for them as slaves. Unfortunately, this fact would lead to the Boers misconception of white superiority. According to Boer philosophy, races form the fundamental divisions of humanity, and that different races inherently have different cultural and physical qualities. This philosophy then led the ideas of race designated areas and the prohibition of interracial marriages. Additionally, literature regarding social Darwinism, had a tremendous influence of Boer culture during this time. Darwin’s rejection of the theory of man being created in the image of God, but rather through evolution of lessor forms i.e. natural selection, prompted much debate in the Boer society. As a result, Darwinist used his theories to a rrive at social Darwinism; the belief that the socially à ©lite classes, as those possessing wealth and power inherit biological superiority in the struggle for existence. Thus, the history of non-white South Africans was disregarded. Instead of being recognized as members of theShow MoreRelatedHow the Apartheid Came to Be in South Africa1184 Words   |  5 PagesIn 1948, apartheid was introduced to South Africa. Apartheid means apartness and is the political policy of racial segregation. Each racial group was segregated from other races within South Africa. These groups consisted of whites, blacks and coloreds (Asians and Indians). The minority white population had the rule over the whole country. Apartheid did not only detach whites from non-whites, but it also set apart the Blacks from the Coloreds. When apartheid ended in 1994 a legacy was leftRead MoreNelson Mandela s Eradication Of The Apartheid1327 Words   |  6 Pagesthe most influential activists, and his legacy remains not just in South Africa but the entire world. Nelson Mandela participated in the eradication of the apartheid, and in 1994 became South Africa’s first black president. Mandela and many other black South Africans worked hard to end the unjust segregation in South Africa, and they were successful in destroying the wicked apartheid system. Over 20 years after the eradication of the apartheid, is South Africa completely free of the past segregationRead MoreNelson Mandela: The Living Legend1089 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Speech 101 5 November 2013 Informative Speech: Nelson Mandela: The Living Legend Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about Nelson Mandela and his achievement and positive impact on Africa and the world. Central Idea: Nelson Mandela’s struggle and achievement in South Africa and around the world. Introduction: Attention Getter: Take a moment and think this situation. You are young and ambitious. Your dream is to free your people and your country. You decided to protest anyway againstRead MoreSouth Africas Apartheid Policy661 Words   |  3 PagesSouth Africas Apartheid Policy of 1948 Nazi practices during World War II were so horrific that many countries began to feel shame about internal racial problems in home countries. In France, the United Kingdom, and the United States liberal politicians and intellectuals began to condemn racism against non-whites and push for civil rights reforms. South Africa, however, did not follow the same route. The White minority of South Africa decided to build a state based on total separation (apartheid)Read MoreStripped of Civil Rights during Apartheid in South Africa830 Words   |  3 Pagesduring apartheid. From 1948 to 1994, apartheid was enforced in South Africa. With this policy, colored people (mixed or black) were deprived of housing, education, and work. The policies of apartheid were so strict that if a colored were to speak about a white person, they would be in danger of getting arrested. After all these years that the coloreds suffered through, Nelson Mandela fought hard and eventually got apartheid abolished. Many people believe that racism is gone from South Africa now whileRead MoreApartheid and Post-Apartheid South Africa1356 Words   |  6 Pagesand the Apartheid era has ended, but the legacy it has left behind has caused South Africa’s rehabilitation and self-determination to be an obstructed undertaking. Unaddressed security problems of belligerent crimes and HIV/AIDS are a direct cause of the failure to manage the aforementioned legacy (Vercillo n.p.). Back in 1947, the growing desegregation which was caused by the liberation of India and Pakistan, helped spread the evidential racial equality. The Afrikaaner Nationalists of South AfricaRead MoreSouth Africa Essay1004 Words   |  5 PagesSouth Africa is a nation with a wonderful and varied culture. This country has been called â€Å"The Rainbow Nation†, a name that reflects the diversity of such amazing place. The different ethnic and cultural groups of the South Africa do, however, appreciate their own beliefs and cu stoms. Many of these traditions, besides African culture, are influenced by European and Western heritage. The complex and diverse population of the country has made a strong impact to the various cultures. There areRead MoreTo What Extent Did The Collapse Of Apartheid South Africa ( 1991 ) Really Bring About Change For The Bantu Population1458 Words   |  6 PagesTo what extent did the collapse of Apartheid in South Africa (1991) really bring about change for the Bantu population? The collapse of Apartheid in South Africa (1991) brought only a small amount of change for the Bantu population. South still faces racism in society, due to the continual domination by the â€Å"white† population with race interaction limited to the false â€Å"rainbow† television campaigns and promotional Africa strategies. At the close of Apartheid, a number of false statements were usedRead MoreHow and why did the apartheid system come into existence in South Africa and how was its existence maintained and enforced for so long?1593 Words   |  7 PagesThe term apartheid was one of the most politically charged words in the second half of the 20th century, and still remains notorious today. Apartheid translated from Afrikaans means separateness or apartness. However when the National Party came to power in South Africa in 1948, it took on a much more sinister meaning and today is associated with racial and ethnic discrimination. The roots of apartheid stem deep into South African history. It started way back during European settlement, andRead MoreNelson Mandela s Influence On Human Rights945 Words   |  4 PagesNelson Mandela is a world renowned activist that was imprisoned for twenty seven years in a South African prison, because of a system of racism known as â€Å"apartheid† which discriminated against blacks living in South Africa at the time. Since his release from prison, apartheid has since been abolished in South Africa and he was elected President of that country. Nelson Mandela had a positive impact on human rights by standing up against racism in his country as well as many others around the world