By Madibeng Kgwete: posted on 26 February 2007
In his opinion article, “The dangers of racial profiling” (The Star, 26 February 2007), Rich Mkhondo asks the critical question: “Is racial profiling or stereotyping a necessary tool to protect our communities from crime?”
The answer really depends on who you are. Those with a right-wing mentality would most likely agree with racial profiling or stereotyping or both, whilst democrats would oppose the idea.
Black people here in South Africa and around the world are still seen as the main perpetrators of crime, wars, corruption, fraud, etc. This perception is enforced by black people’s lack a popular medium through which they can claim innocence.
After 13 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa, our media is still a vehicle to glorify the white man, portray him as the target of some inhuman black people. The black man is still the subject of horrific headlines.
Media propaganda still reigns in favour of white people. More black faces are seemingly at the forefront of many major media houses, but the white man still has the final say. The boardroom wields much more power than the newsroom.
As a result, the media is still a vehicle to promote white interests. We have panic buttons pressed when a white man is attacked, but many black lives are brutally eliminated without any mention.
Portraying crime as a black-versus-white issue smacks of irresponsibility. Everyone could fall victim to crime anytime, and the perpetrator could belong to any race.
As Mkhondo correctly stated, “Racial stereotyping is a lazy way of labelling people”.
We black people may be holding political power, but we still endure a lot of public humiliation. In the malls and other public places, we still get nasty looks, with members of other races seeing us as some brutal parasites, unable to think constructively and mentally inferior.
Is this the freedom our elders have so tirelessly fought for?
Monday, February 26, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
America's new method of occupation
By Madibeng Kgwete: posted on 12 February 2007
The United States government has reportedly approved the establishment of a new single military command for Africa, to be known as Africa Command.
Announcing the new command, US President George W. Bush is said to have remarked that: “Africa Command will enhance our efforts to bring peace and security to the people of Africa and promote our common goals of development, health, education, democracy and economic growth in Africa.”
But, given the embarrassing defeats that the US is suffering in Iraq, it is not convincing that the real reason behind the creation of Africa Command is to ensure “development, health, education, democracy and economic growth in Africa”, as Bush is reported to have said.
Deploying a more coordinated military force in Africa -- the continent which some commentators have described as the poorest on earth -- will help the US to easily interfere in the internal affairs of our continent, deploy puppet states and remote control the continent with ease.
Those African leaders who are not popular in Washington should better watch out, for Africa Command is here for them. Once the Command is fully deployed on the African continent, the sovereignty of our nations will most likely be hanging in the balance.
To think, like Bush, that the US military can bring “democracy and economic growth in Africa” through the deployment of more troops on our continent is highly pathetic. New methods of occupation are being devised, and, quite clearly, Africa is still the continent for the taking.
Africa Command is here to intimidate our leaders, undermine our continental structures such as the African Union Security Council and interfere in the internal affairs of our continent.
The United States government has reportedly approved the establishment of a new single military command for Africa, to be known as Africa Command.
Announcing the new command, US President George W. Bush is said to have remarked that: “Africa Command will enhance our efforts to bring peace and security to the people of Africa and promote our common goals of development, health, education, democracy and economic growth in Africa.”
But, given the embarrassing defeats that the US is suffering in Iraq, it is not convincing that the real reason behind the creation of Africa Command is to ensure “development, health, education, democracy and economic growth in Africa”, as Bush is reported to have said.
Deploying a more coordinated military force in Africa -- the continent which some commentators have described as the poorest on earth -- will help the US to easily interfere in the internal affairs of our continent, deploy puppet states and remote control the continent with ease.
Those African leaders who are not popular in Washington should better watch out, for Africa Command is here for them. Once the Command is fully deployed on the African continent, the sovereignty of our nations will most likely be hanging in the balance.
To think, like Bush, that the US military can bring “democracy and economic growth in Africa” through the deployment of more troops on our continent is highly pathetic. New methods of occupation are being devised, and, quite clearly, Africa is still the continent for the taking.
Africa Command is here to intimidate our leaders, undermine our continental structures such as the African Union Security Council and interfere in the internal affairs of our continent.
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