Us and Them

I never before wondered how people identify themselves.  But during my orientation for my seminar abroad in South Africa we watched a movie called In my Country that sparked my curiosity. (see video below for more on the movie)  The main character, Anna, was from a wealthy Afrikaan family.  Interestingly, she did not identify herself as other Afrikaans did in that period.  She saw herself and the other South Africans as equals.  While in the opening  scene her own brother even referred to black Africans as "them".  When our group finally arrived in South Africa I was excited to see if that "us/them" mentality still existed. But I was nervous because that could be a very sensitive topic for some. To my surprise and joy people were more than happy to talk to me. 

There were two prominent incidents for me. The first was the first night we went out in Pretoria.  Our group was talking to another group of Afrikaan students and they were asking what we were studying in South Africa.  I told her, Xhosa and clicked on the X (the proper way pronounce the language) and she said, "We're white, you don't click when you say it."  I asked why it mattered to her and she said it was because she does not want a Xhosa person to feel like she is imitating or mocking them.  I still have mixed feelings about that answer.  Is that respectable?  Or just cowardly?  Either way she still identifies a person who speaks Xhosa as "them".  Even though they are from the same place.    

The other was in Cape Town's Green Market.  The Green Market is similar to a flee market, but better.  All of the market's vendors were eager to speak to us also.  Even though I'm pretty sure it was to try and get us to buy something.  As I was examining a scarf a Zulu vendor took note of my new rugby jersey.  He said sporting events were the only time he felt the country was truly unified. I asked why and he responded with, "we're too busy hating the other team, we can't hate each other."  It seems like progress, even feeling united for a few hours.  But there's still that underlying us/them mentality.  

Perhaps that is how South Africa will always be.  With 11 different languages and cultures, maybe that's what the rainbow nation is about.   Having an us but, accepting them. 

~Kiara