Our country is one of many paradoxes: resilient yet fragile; extremely brutal at times, yet unsurpassingly kind at others. Over the last two weeks, the xenophobic attacks have reminded me of this delicate balance .
I was also reminded of the power of words, and how unwisely chosen words have the power to fuel much hatred. I felt powerless as all my middle-class self was capable of doing was to take to social media channels to tweet, share and like. Hardly helpful when others feared for their lives - and how many likes or retweets their stories got was, I suspect, entirely irrelevant to them. I’m not dismissing the importance of awareness – it too has a role – but rather expressing frustration over the utter inability to help when people’s lives were/ are at risk. It was encouraging to see how many other South Africans felt the same: horrified, ashamed and heartbroken. We haven’t lost our hearts.
Stories such as this one, about a group of township residents patrolling the streets to protect their foreign neighbours, and this one (and another), drove home the point that this hatred of “the other” was not a general attitude, but rather a view held by a few intent upon harm. Across the country, food was collected, donations made and marches held, demonstrating that we are a country who speaks out, and acts, against injustice.
That said, here are a few practical ways to help:
I was also reminded of the power of words, and how unwisely chosen words have the power to fuel much hatred. I felt powerless as all my middle-class self was capable of doing was to take to social media channels to tweet, share and like. Hardly helpful when others feared for their lives - and how many likes or retweets their stories got was, I suspect, entirely irrelevant to them. I’m not dismissing the importance of awareness – it too has a role – but rather expressing frustration over the utter inability to help when people’s lives were/ are at risk. It was encouraging to see how many other South Africans felt the same: horrified, ashamed and heartbroken. We haven’t lost our hearts.
Stories such as this one, about a group of township residents patrolling the streets to protect their foreign neighbours, and this one (and another), drove home the point that this hatred of “the other” was not a general attitude, but rather a view held by a few intent upon harm. Across the country, food was collected, donations made and marches held, demonstrating that we are a country who speaks out, and acts, against injustice.
That said, here are a few practical ways to help:
- Donate food, toiletries etc. or money (see here and here for more information)
- Speak out and show solidarity: attend a march
- Educate yourself: don’t believe unfounded statements inciting violence against foreigners (e.g. a myth on “stealing” jobs debunked)
- Be responsible in the way you use social media as to not perpetuate any hype – in some cases this creates an atmosphere more conducive to violence
- If it’s your thing, pray for our country – always. God loves ALL people – regardless of whether or not they are foreign or local, “illegal” or “legal”