The remarks that has been made by the reserve Bank governor Tito mboweni, was not a racist statement. The remark that he made at the bank's annual general meeting on Thursday. Attacking Mario Pretorius. First and fore most we must bare in mind that we can not separate racism from Economic power. Racism has to do with power; you become a racist because you think you are better than the other person. Whites were racist because they thought they were better than blacks.
Blacks are not in the position that can make them seem better than whites. Making whites feel being insulted and inferior to black people is hard like to push a big stone uphill. Whites still think that they are superior to blacks, that stereotype is still there. So it will take time to reverse this thinking, more over blacks themselves still feels inferior to whites.
I do not agree with the people who say Mboweni remarks were racist, mboweni is suffering from a trauma, and black people were traumatized by the apartheid regime. The reason Mboweni said” I shall not permit you to talk to me like whites used to talk to blacks,” This is an indication that blacks are still sensitive to racism, if a white person shout or speak to them aggressively; it reminds them of the past days of apartheid. The apartheid system made blacks vulnerable and defensive.
What happens when a black man kills one another? We call it a crime. Then what happens when a white person kills a black person? We call it racism. I do not know whether you understand my argument, and what I’m trying to imply.
When Tito Mboweni was by Pretorius to bring the meeting to order, the governor refused and Pretorius used the word "shocking”. Mboweni never seen an any person talking to him, instead he saw a apartheid white man. What could have happened if the same remark that was made by Mario Pretorius was made by a black person? I assume Tito could have reacted differently.
But my main contention remains, Tito Mboweni was not a racist on his remark. He had been harsh, reactionary and sensitive. What I have lent from that scenario is that, the things like “Truth and reconciliation, Rainbow nation” are just talks, but inside we still have grudges. If the public figures like Tito mboweni are still not forgiven whites what education do I impart? It will be hard to forgive what happened in the past, unless the existing generations, who witnessed the apartheid system, get over and done with.
Blacks are not in the position that can make them seem better than whites. Making whites feel being insulted and inferior to black people is hard like to push a big stone uphill. Whites still think that they are superior to blacks, that stereotype is still there. So it will take time to reverse this thinking, more over blacks themselves still feels inferior to whites.
I do not agree with the people who say Mboweni remarks were racist, mboweni is suffering from a trauma, and black people were traumatized by the apartheid regime. The reason Mboweni said” I shall not permit you to talk to me like whites used to talk to blacks,” This is an indication that blacks are still sensitive to racism, if a white person shout or speak to them aggressively; it reminds them of the past days of apartheid. The apartheid system made blacks vulnerable and defensive.
What happens when a black man kills one another? We call it a crime. Then what happens when a white person kills a black person? We call it racism. I do not know whether you understand my argument, and what I’m trying to imply.
When Tito Mboweni was by Pretorius to bring the meeting to order, the governor refused and Pretorius used the word "shocking”. Mboweni never seen an any person talking to him, instead he saw a apartheid white man. What could have happened if the same remark that was made by Mario Pretorius was made by a black person? I assume Tito could have reacted differently.
But my main contention remains, Tito Mboweni was not a racist on his remark. He had been harsh, reactionary and sensitive. What I have lent from that scenario is that, the things like “Truth and reconciliation, Rainbow nation” are just talks, but inside we still have grudges. If the public figures like Tito mboweni are still not forgiven whites what education do I impart? It will be hard to forgive what happened in the past, unless the existing generations, who witnessed the apartheid system, get over and done with.
Sources
The star newspaper. September 20, 2008 Edition 1
