I pride myself on being a human being with great love, respect and appreciation for all but recent events have sorely tested my non-racial mindset.
In times of crisis it is human nature to lash out at the man, the hidden enemy, the conspiracy theory and even one’s loved ones. A uniquely South African reaction to anything involving politics, government, a State Owned Enterprise or every form of conflict is for many amongst us to couch the problem in racist terms.
But, someone has to keep the moral and human being high ground and fight tooth and nail against sliding into that convenient ‘comfort’ of blaming everything on race.
So I refuse to allow recent events to turn me into something that I am not and, like Job in the Bible who lost everything but not his faith in God I, too, will not lose my faith in those friends that I hold dear to my heart who have in their own way strengthened my resolve to remain true to my ethos in life which is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; “I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
These are the words that have helped me to remain steadfast and of forgiving of those that act in a racist manner.
All the following words come from friends who may have unwittingly helped me to remain true to myself in these difficult times.
- “Alan, if my parents were alive today they would be spinning in their graves over the treatment meted out to white people today. They fought hard for justice and went into exile during apartheid to ensure a better life for me.” – conversation with a friend
- “It is because of people like you that we have lost …” – reportedly said to a person of colour and which made me go cold at the heartless vicious intent
- “If life dishes you lemons make lemonade!” – homily from a respected friend
- “Every single one of these black people watching over your move is a victim of capture – pawns in a chess game, prick them and they bleed.” – words of truth from a ‘man off the street’
- “We need to stand together” – a negative positive for me as I would rather stand together with like minded people and not base that on race.
- “Hope the move of the club went well! Sorry I wasn’t there to help!” – message from a recent friend who, maybe unknowingly, has been a tower of strength.
- And, last, but not least, long deep meaningful conversations with a younger tenant of mine – full of promise and steadfast in his resolve to contribute to our country revealed to me that we may be different politically – I am an equal opportunity ‘disliker’ as I ‘dislike’ all politicians equally and he has leanings towards one particular militant party – but as human beings we want the same thing.
The support from like minded friends, family and peers through this ongoing ‘test of Job’ has been more than enough to reveal that the path of non-racial thoughts is the only one to follow.
And those that know me know that I like the power of a good swear word. I love the way that, by just dropping it in to a conversation in which it is not expected, swear words can shock and even make people comfortable so here goes:
Fuck the racists, fuck their attitude and fuck the way that their attitude makes me feel uncomfortable. Fuck institutionalised racism. Fuck the people that promote racism and division. Fuck the people that use racism to hide their own weaknesses.
Alan Straton
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