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Today I was verbally attacked by a colleague for wearing my South African cricket T-shirt to work. When I put this T-shirt on with pride and joy this morning, I didn't anticipate the ugly backlash and anger at my choice of sport, gear and freedom of expression.
Said colleague is a foreign team supporter of all sports because of what happened in our country pre-1994. He proceeded to scream and swear at me for wearing my country’s colours and said out loud, “Jy maak my naar vandag [you’re making me sick today]”. I refused to engage with someone who has no respect for another’s personal beliefs, choices and democratic rights, so I walked away. I did not walk away out of fear, I walked away because fighting with a fool makes you look like a fool too. And I’d never degrade myself like that. Said colleague then continued to swear at the South African cricket team (yes, as if they were here), cursing them and wishing that Pakistan win the World Cup (he’s not Muslim either and he obviously hasn't watched Pakistan playing lately). His rant continued down to the make-up of the Western Province Rugby Union, don’t ask!
I am a South African, I support South African sports, but when it comes to cricket I literally wear my heart on my sleeve. For me, it’s not about what colour the skins are of the people representing our country or how they got there, it’s about the pride that I feel when our national anthem reverberates in a stadium during games and the unity that brings us together when the chips are down. I know the history of our country pre-1994 and how far we've come since then. It is the mentality of said colleague that will continue to break our beautiful country down, and drag everyone with them. I refuse to be a part of someone else’s anger and misfortunes. I am one of those people who were affected by the struggles of our country before 1994 but it doesn't cause me hatred, it makes me proud to have witnessed the birth of a new country.
It’s safe to say that said colleague has lost my respect. I’d like to say to others who think like him and react like him to us who do believe in our country: you’re missing out on something beautiful. We also live in a country that fought for democratic rights, and today I exercised my democratic right to freedom of expression. Neither you nor your bullying tactics or ignorance will make me change my T-shirt or attitude. And as the saying goes: the one who laughs last, laughs the loudest.
Bring it home, Proteas.
