AULETTE READING SOUTH AFRICA-1 (2)

GLOBAL VIEW OF RACE AND RACISM

• Author: Judy Root Aulette

• Publisher: Oxford University Press (New York, Oxford)

SEGREGATION/APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ISRAEL

Overview

• South African apartheid: A structured system of racial dominance aiming to segregate people into distinct race/ethnic categories.

• Government maintained dominance by Afrikaners, a small ethnic group descended from Dutch settlers.

• Apartheid was inspired by the Jim Crow system in the U.S.

• Legal apartheid persists in other regions, such as Israel/Palestine.

Structure of the Chapter

1. Exploration of South African Apartheid

   • Colonial history and roots of apartheid.

   • Resistance movements led by the African National Congress (ANC).

   • Examination of de jure (legal) and de facto (actual) segregation.

   • Discussions on false consciousness and class stratification in the working class.

   • The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and affirmative action post-apartheid.

2. Focus on Israel/Palestine

   • Analysis of apartheid-like conditions in these areas and global definitions of apartheid.

THE MAKING OF APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA

Historical Context

• Colonization initiated a legacy of genocide and exploitation of Africans.

• Apartheid established formally between 1948 and 1994, segregating races legally.

• Continuous discrimination against indigenous groups (San and Khoikhoi).

Impact of Colonial Policies

• Attacks on San and Khoikhoi included genocide and forced displacement from land.

• Early labor needs led to importing slaves from areas like Angola, Guinea Coast, and Indonesia.

• The slave population increased significantly throughout the 18th century.

British and Dutch Imperialism

• Competition between the British and Dutch for control influenced South Africa's socio-political landscape.

• British interests focused on resource extraction, while Dutch settlers sought land for agriculture.

• Legal abolition of slavery in 1833 left former slaves in continued poverty and discrimination.

Establishment of Racial Laws

• The Act of Union in 1910 consolidated citizenship for white South Africans only.

• Legislation further curtailed rights of South Africans of color, enforcing segregation across various sectors (e.g., land ownership, residence).

• Comparison with Jim Crow laws highlighting historical racial discrimination patterns.

APARTHEID RULES AND HOMELANDS

Specific Laws and Restrictions

• List of apartheid laws (Box 5.1):

  • Restrictions on residence, family dynamics, movement, occupation, education, assembly, marriage, and free expression.

• Implementation of homelands segregating people based on ethnicity into designated areas.

The Experience of Coloured South Africans

• Use of the term "Coloured" in South Africa accepted as an ethnic identity.

• Forced removals disrupted established communities; socio-economic opportunities were significantly diminished.

• Displacement led to inadequate housing, loss of community, and increased poverty.

DE JURE AND DE FACTO SEGREGATION

Similarities and Differences with U.S. Jim Crow Laws

• Both systems legally enforced segregation; however, distinct racial categorizations marked South Africa's system.

• The numerical disadvantage of white populations in South Africa creates unique dynamics compared to the U.S.

• Following the abolition of de jure segregation, de facto disparities remain in both nations.

MAINTAINING THE APARTHEID SYSTEM

Economic and Racial Dynamics

• Classical Marxists vs. Split Labor Market Theorists in understanding the system.

• Marxists argue the upper classes maintained the apartheid for profit; theorists highlight exploitation of working-class dynamics.

THE REVOLUTION TO ABOLISH APARTHEID

Transition to Democracy

• Apartheid officially ended in 1994; Nelson Mandela elected president.

• The ANC’s victory marked the beginning of addressing historical injustices through new legislation and governance.

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC): Aimed to address past human rights abuses and promote healing.

Global Context and Comparison

• The TRC focused on restorative justice rather than punitive measures, representing an African value of community.

• International treaties against apartheid; contrast with U.S. foreign policy showing selective support of apartheid due to perceived economic benefits.