Hermanus Anti-racism teacher seminar
Shikaya was invited by the Western Cape Education Department to use aspects of the Facing the Past programme to work with teachers from the six schools in the Hermanus area as part of the WCED’s anti-racism work.
The seminar began with the exploration of individual and group identity and the creation of ‘difference’ within a group. Understanding how race was constructed in the 19th century provided the context for examining the case study of segregation and racism in the US.
Throughout these sessions, deep connections were made with the South African experience during apartheid. This facilitated dialogue in a way that would have been difficult if teachers had not used a ‘distant’ history as a point of entry. This opened the way for teachers to examine our apartheid past from a personal perspective and the legacy of racism that still divides us nearly 15 years later.
The four-day journey ended with participants exploring strategies for making a positive difference in school and community and ways in which young people in schools can be encouraged to participate in making a stand for human rights and democracy. Throughout the seminar, methodologies were used that teachers would be able to use in a classroom situation.
Below are some extracts from some of the participants’ journal entries:
“As a white man I experienced a lot of guilt as we progressed through the day.
- What part did I play in that what is wrong in society?
- How can I remedy it?
- Am I really suitable for the post I’m taking up? Will I be able to bridge all the differences and prejudices?
- I have a lot to think about tonight.”
“Today we started to unpack and cleared ourselves to take off those masks that were indoctrinated to ourselves. We start to know each other slowly, if there can be a forum for all schools in Overberg district from primary level to secondary level that can break the barrier, gone are those days[of sitting] in the corner. Come Out! Get on the Bus! It’s leaving you.”
“Was quite distressing to learn about America’s turmoil regarding race conflict. How can you? How dare you? More distressing to be reminded of SA’s past. Stuff that I experienced during the 50s and 60s – stuff that was the norm – it felt right that time – I grew up with that. Then the realisation that it’s wrong – how can you treat other people like that? Then the thought – what did I do about the situation? Could I do anything? How did I address the wrongs in working sphere? Can people see in my behaviour that I’m trying to address the wrongs? What about the black people? Are they responsive/positive when they come across a white who tries? Some who has made the paradigm shift? Will they trust such a person?”