Apartheid in South: Historical Lenses Essay

Introduction

Historical lenses help understand various perspectives. Whether social, economic, or political lenses. Same events can be viewed differently.

Due to the separate focus points. The conclusions vary depending on lenses. Therefore, they become a valuable tool.

Historical Lenses: Apartheid

• The primary topic is the apartheid.
• Political attempt to control the population.
• Economy relied on the systematic racism.
• It had old roots in slavery.
• Social lenses are essential for understanding.
• As race was the central factor.

Historical Lenses: What Was Apartheid?

1. System of institutionalized racism and segregation.
2. Was established in the South Africa.
3. It lasted from 1940s to 1990s (Musavengane and Leonard, 2019).
4. Gave power to the white population.
5. Affected primarily the black native population.
6. Specifically, by targeting and disenfranchising them.

Political and Economic Lenses: Apartheid

• The racial segregation drove people apart.
• Restricted people’s ability to change home.
• Forbid them from furthering their career.
• Stopped them from having political power.
• Determined their social, political, and economic status.
• Supported an old and authoritarian system.

Social Lenses: Apartheid

• The apartheid was motivated by social factors.
• Specifically, racial identity, culture, and background.
• It affected the way people would interact.
• It determined their social status and position.
• Further divided the community and people.
• As well as restructured the society’s hierarchy.

Historical Lenses: Conclusions

• Both sides will view the apartheid differently.
• Teller’s perspective affects how it is judged.
• For apartheid supporters it was a necessity.
• To protect their power and political beliefs.
• For opposing side it was a great tragedy.
• It stripped millions of basic human rights.

Value: Our Lives

1. As well as white supremacism supporters.
2. Was abolished merely 30 years ago.
3. Shows racism can affect modern society.
4. Relevant in the current political climate.
5. Especially concerning rise in racist crimes.
6. Apartheid is a relatively recent phenomenon.

Opinion

• History tends to occasionally repeat itself.
• Yet it is rarely the same.
• Learning history helps to avoid mistakes.
• Studying history helps to understand humanity.
• Additionally, the reasons behind various conflicts.
• Thus it becomes possible to avoid repetition.

Obligation

It is essential to self-reflect on:

• Understanding the root of the issues.
• Analyzing how one contributes to them.
• Self-reflecting on a person’s social standing.
• Observing how social identity affects it.
• Willing to improve society and oneself.

Conclusion

Apartheid was a systematic and institutionalized racism. It happened less than a century ago. Different historical lenses help analyze its complexity.

Social, economic, and political sides to it. It demonstrates how impactful institutionalized discrimination is. It is a civic duty to challenge racism.

References

Musavengane, R., & Leonard, L. (2019). When race and social equity matters in nature conservation in post-apartheid South Africa. Conservation & Society, 17(2), 135-146. Web.

Sides, K. B. (2017). Precedence and warning: global apartheid and South Africa’s long conversation on race with the United States. Safundi, 18(3), 221-238. Web.