This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/05/white-family-month-south-african-township

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
A white family had a month in a South African township, but what next? A white family had a month in a South African township, but what next?
(14 days later)
Eyebrows were raised when white, middle-class and well-off Julian and Ena Hewitt gathered their young children, left their gated community and relocated for a month to Mamelodi, a township in South Africa. With its roots in the Group Areas Act of 1950, Mamelodi was originally designated a blacks-only area. Townships, created under South Africa's apartheid government, were created to segregate and economically disadvantage black lives in every way. Defining features are their small, crowded living spaces. Their location on the edge of urban areas often mean longer commutes for black workers, who under apartheid, once they reached their places of work, had to carry passport-like documents in order to move around freely.Eyebrows were raised when white, middle-class and well-off Julian and Ena Hewitt gathered their young children, left their gated community and relocated for a month to Mamelodi, a township in South Africa. With its roots in the Group Areas Act of 1950, Mamelodi was originally designated a blacks-only area. Townships, created under South Africa's apartheid government, were created to segregate and economically disadvantage black lives in every way. Defining features are their small, crowded living spaces. Their location on the edge of urban areas often mean longer commutes for black workers, who under apartheid, once they reached their places of work, had to carry passport-like documents in order to move around freely.
The end of apartheid was formalised in the general election of 1994. But South Africa's air is still thick with its remnants. The country's racialised power structures existed along the lines of white domination, a legacy that takes more than an election to destroy. Black people make up the majority of the country's poor, with South Africa's income inequality one of the worst in the world. The legacy of politicised space continues, with 80% of South Africa's farming land belonging to white farmers. The latest census revealed that white South Africans earn six times more that their black counterparts. Apartheid was designed to concentrate power, wealth and political influence into the hands of the few. Townships continue to exist in this context.The end of apartheid was formalised in the general election of 1994. But South Africa's air is still thick with its remnants. The country's racialised power structures existed along the lines of white domination, a legacy that takes more than an election to destroy. Black people make up the majority of the country's poor, with South Africa's income inequality one of the worst in the world. The legacy of politicised space continues, with 80% of South Africa's farming land belonging to white farmers. The latest census revealed that white South Africans earn six times more that their black counterparts. Apartheid was designed to concentrate power, wealth and political influence into the hands of the few. Townships continue to exist in this context.
It's unsurprising, then, that the Hewitt family deciding to temporarily move into a township next door to their black domestic worker hit national and international press headlines. Julian and Ena Hewitt blogged about their experiences in Mamelodi, sharing money struggles, public transport issues and the overwhelming sense of welcoming they received from Mamelodi's black residents. They set themselves a budget for the month, based on the average black household income. There's a strong theme running through the core of their writing – "empathy is essential for an effective democracy" – with them questioning the illusion of meritocracy against the backdrop of structural inequality.It's unsurprising, then, that the Hewitt family deciding to temporarily move into a township next door to their black domestic worker hit national and international press headlines. Julian and Ena Hewitt blogged about their experiences in Mamelodi, sharing money struggles, public transport issues and the overwhelming sense of welcoming they received from Mamelodi's black residents. They set themselves a budget for the month, based on the average black household income. There's a strong theme running through the core of their writing – "empathy is essential for an effective democracy" – with them questioning the illusion of meritocracy against the backdrop of structural inequality.
The Hewitt family's story serves as a stark reminder that class and race are always intertwined. Despite the emergence of a black middle class – something that needs a whole new article of analysis – the vast majority of black people in South Africa are working class. It's concerning, then, that this black experience only hits the headlines when articulated through white eyes. These issues of severe poverty and lack of infrastructure are seeing the spotlight only because white middle-class people with significant social power experienced them.The Hewitt family's story serves as a stark reminder that class and race are always intertwined. Despite the emergence of a black middle class – something that needs a whole new article of analysis – the vast majority of black people in South Africa are working class. It's concerning, then, that this black experience only hits the headlines when articulated through white eyes. These issues of severe poverty and lack of infrastructure are seeing the spotlight only because white middle-class people with significant social power experienced them.
While the Hewitts place a great deal of importance on eliciting sympathy for their fellow human beings, it's somewhat hindered by the fact that their social status affords them the luxury of returning to their gated community within a month – and it's this sense of "poverty tourism" that the family have been criticised for since making the move. This anger is as legitimate as it is raw, and it has a place in the conversation about how to move forward from the legacy of apartheid. There is a big difference between sympathy and empathy. Any meaningful steps towards liberation will continue to be held back until the perspectives of the marginalised are really listened to, embraced and understood.While the Hewitts place a great deal of importance on eliciting sympathy for their fellow human beings, it's somewhat hindered by the fact that their social status affords them the luxury of returning to their gated community within a month – and it's this sense of "poverty tourism" that the family have been criticised for since making the move. This anger is as legitimate as it is raw, and it has a place in the conversation about how to move forward from the legacy of apartheid. There is a big difference between sympathy and empathy. Any meaningful steps towards liberation will continue to be held back until the perspectives of the marginalised are really listened to, embraced and understood.
The big question is – what will the Hewitts do next? Dipping a tentative toe into racialised poverty is all well and good, but in the context of hundreds of years of black economic marginalisation it's barely a pin prick in the tapestry of South Africa's history. Perhaps they might dedicate some time, energy and resources to educating their white counterparts about the tentacles of economic marginalisation, consequential white privilege, and how to resist it.The big question is – what will the Hewitts do next? Dipping a tentative toe into racialised poverty is all well and good, but in the context of hundreds of years of black economic marginalisation it's barely a pin prick in the tapestry of South Africa's history. Perhaps they might dedicate some time, energy and resources to educating their white counterparts about the tentacles of economic marginalisation, consequential white privilege, and how to resist it.
However well intentioned, aligning yourself with racialised poverty for a month should not just serve as an inspiration – it should ignite the flame to agitate for social change. It's likely that the family's overall understanding of race, class and poverty will be cemented once they've settled back into their community of undue privilege. I have a simple message for them – learn from this experience and don't lead your children down the dead end path of colour blindness when it comes to those inevitable future difficult conversations about race.However well intentioned, aligning yourself with racialised poverty for a month should not just serve as an inspiration – it should ignite the flame to agitate for social change. It's likely that the family's overall understanding of race, class and poverty will be cemented once they've settled back into their community of undue privilege. I have a simple message for them – learn from this experience and don't lead your children down the dead end path of colour blindness when it comes to those inevitable future difficult conversations about race.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.