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As a Liberal in South Africa I am often witness to these small, shameful battles between liberals over who is more liberal than the other. Which in my mind goes against the whole idea of being liberal. And for the most part disagree with idolization of any person, especially one with the moral compass of uncle Cecil who has recently sparked a wave of very nasty attacks from both sides of the fence. However there is just one question that I find myself asking. That is; what will the removal of this statue actually achieve? What is the point of conflict where all that you have accomplished is create racial divides and alienated your fellow countrymen who would otherwise pick up a gun or a banner to stand by you in a moment of true adversity.
Now before the comments of white privilege start let me clear one thing up. Yes I am white. I was brought up in a system where I was able to be taught in my mother tongue. I was afforded all the opportunities that one would have been growing up as a white middle class South African. Do I feel ashamed? No! I will never feel ashamed for taking every opportunity life has presented to me regardless of my circumstances. I however will take every opportunity to create a country whereby all my fellow countrymen and women are afforded the same opportunities as me. Regardless of religion, race or background. We live in a fantastic country, which everybody should be allowed to enjoy and benefit from.
Now, to deal with Cecil. May I suggest a bit of a curve ball here. I would like to inquire as to the cost of removing his statue. And I only mean the monetary cost. (and if someone with more experience in the field of statue removal could add their bit, it would be appreciated) And regardless if this service is donated by a removal company we all know its not going to be cheap. Now surely that money could be far better spent on putting one of the youths on the (presumably long) bursary waiting list through the very fine institution which is The University of Cape Town. Education and empowerment would be a far greater victor over injustice than anything else. Surely this is what we are fighting for? Surely Rhodes has disenfranchised enough people in his lifetime that we don't need his disgusting legacy to ever prevent one more person from being marginalized or denied the right to an education? South Africa we are fighting the wrong people here. We are not fighting a legacy of imperialism we are fighting each other. And we are loosing. I guarantee that the modern day imperialists who are controlling this country have not lost a wink of sleep over this little spat.
Basically what I am saying is; by removing this statue all that you are doing is putting money into the pocket of some transport and removal contractor rather than using that money to empower the people we have been fighting for. Please don't let Rhodes win this one.
Now before the comments of white privilege start let me clear one thing up. Yes I am white. I was brought up in a system where I was able to be taught in my mother tongue. I was afforded all the opportunities that one would have been growing up as a white middle class South African. Do I feel ashamed? No! I will never feel ashamed for taking every opportunity life has presented to me regardless of my circumstances. I however will take every opportunity to create a country whereby all my fellow countrymen and women are afforded the same opportunities as me. Regardless of religion, race or background. We live in a fantastic country, which everybody should be allowed to enjoy and benefit from.
Now, to deal with Cecil. May I suggest a bit of a curve ball here. I would like to inquire as to the cost of removing his statue. And I only mean the monetary cost. (and if someone with more experience in the field of statue removal could add their bit, it would be appreciated) And regardless if this service is donated by a removal company we all know its not going to be cheap. Now surely that money could be far better spent on putting one of the youths on the (presumably long) bursary waiting list through the very fine institution which is The University of Cape Town. Education and empowerment would be a far greater victor over injustice than anything else. Surely this is what we are fighting for? Surely Rhodes has disenfranchised enough people in his lifetime that we don't need his disgusting legacy to ever prevent one more person from being marginalized or denied the right to an education? South Africa we are fighting the wrong people here. We are not fighting a legacy of imperialism we are fighting each other. And we are loosing. I guarantee that the modern day imperialists who are controlling this country have not lost a wink of sleep over this little spat.
Basically what I am saying is; by removing this statue all that you are doing is putting money into the pocket of some transport and removal contractor rather than using that money to empower the people we have been fighting for. Please don't let Rhodes win this one.
