Taking the recent racial slur on Facebook by some University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville campus students and staff members into account something constructive needs to be done in order to heal the effects of our socialisation and discriminatory past.
Why do we become dogmatic about views, bring personal issues into the debate and resort to racial slurs and other derogatory terms with those who do not agree with us? The use of offensive language and labelling people is becoming very common and acceptable in social circles and this to me is very heartbreaking and painful.
Why can’t we approach or dialogue with our fellow human beings who have opposing views or ideas to ours with love and respect? As members of the human race we should heal, nurture and improve social relations within people, communities and neighbours and not to cherish negative and angry feelings and point fingers at others.
In order to further the healing process in our country and to counter the devastating effects of apartheid and the repressive years of the Nationalist Party rule, we need to respond to poverty, unemployment, gender based violence, classism, racism, stereotypes, discrimination, intolerance, inequalities, imbalances and other skin deep differences by introducing Social Justice (values of human rights) as a compulsory subject into our Schools and as a module for students in institutions of Higher learning.
Although some aspects of democracy and human rights are covered in Life Orientation at School, I believe learners need to learn more about social justice because of the relevance of social issues in their daily lives. For example, instead of just teaching them tolerance or superficially to accept other cultures, traditions or religious beliefs, they need to be taught on how to accept fellow learners and integrate with other learners from our diverse backgrounds. Cultural day at school should have a deeper meaning than just wearing clothes and having some concert or show. Learners must be taught respect, especially self respect and moreover how to handle and challenge the contradictions and boundaries in their different philosophy of life or thoughts. Learners should be taught the differences between religious commands and cultural practises.
Our learning institutions must regain their central role of preparing learners to become cultured citizens who will promote transformation and protect and practise true democracy in their day to day living. Learners need to learn the skill of conflict resolution and management in a professional and objective manner. We need transformational citizenship and leaders who can motivate and empower people and improve the living standards of the masses.
To quote Mahatma Ghandi: “We must be the change we wish to see in the world”.
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