I wrote this article two weeks ago when the Rhodes Must Fall campaign dominated the headlines. The article deals with living together as people of different races. Loving one's neighbour is a message that is also applicable to living with our brothers and sisters from different lands!! #NoTo Xenophobia#
Our shared past
What we have to all face is the fact that we share this beautiful land. We do have a past and that past might be filled with bruises and cries but we do share it and that we will never change. How we revisit it is up to us. We choose what we can take out of the memories of our past but one thing is certain is that when we as neighbours do not lend a hand to each other; when we refuse to acknowledge that more binds us than not; we collectively have challenges that affect all of us — crime; electricity; possible water shortages. When we do not rise up and fight for safety in our streets as a COLLECTIVE the only people who will suffer are our children.
Much has happened yes to divide us along racial lines but one thing that we all share is that we are, ALL OF US citizens of South Africa! How we relate to each other now; at this crossroad in our democracy will determine the kind of South Africa we will leave for our children. Raising my children in a multicultural and multiracial community I have had the honour of witnessing how young hearts relate to each other. The children welcome each other with such loving hugs and affection when they see one another. Their young minds have not been exposed to the greater reality that is South Africa. They do not see Black; White; Coloured and Indian. They only see friends. If they turn out to hate one another years down the line it will be because we as their parents and South Africa failed them.
#NoToXenophobia#
It appears on Gateway News
http://gatewaynews.co.za/command-to-love-our-neighbours-relevant-in-sa-right-now/