I‘m sure at this point you’re probably wondering what
District 6 is, so here’s a quick historical background:
Prior to apartheid, District 6 was a working class residential area in Cape Town inhabited by people of all racial backgrounds. During the apartheid regime, the government classified people as belonging to 1 of 3 categories: white, colored, or black. These classifications were based on skin complexion, through the use of “the pencil test” (similar to the brown paper bag test in US), hair texture, and culture. Consequently, the classification process often got a little messy. Sometimes different members of one family would be classified differently because of their varying skin complexions or other factors. For instance, I could be classified as colored while my brother could be classified as black.
Prior to apartheid, District 6 was a working class residential area in Cape Town inhabited by people of all racial backgrounds. During the apartheid regime, the government classified people as belonging to 1 of 3 categories: white, colored, or black. These classifications were based on skin complexion, through the use of “the pencil test” (similar to the brown paper bag test in US), hair texture, and culture. Consequently, the classification process often got a little messy. Sometimes different members of one family would be classified differently because of their varying skin complexions or other factors. For instance, I could be classified as colored while my brother could be classified as black.
In the 1950s, District 6 was proclaimed a white’s only
residential area, and by the 1960s the government had begun the process of
forced removals. Any person living in District 6 who was not white was removed
from his or her home and relocated to another area that was designated for
persons of that race. For people of color, this meant relocating to the
outskirts of the city into the poorest living conditions in Cape Town, which
are now known as townships.
This process of removing black people and colored people
from their homes and reselling their property to white Capetonians was a part
of the government’s plan to systematically transfer wealth from people of color
to the “more deserving” white people. However the ex-residents of District 6
were not sold on this idea. Instead, they created the HANDS OFF DISTRICT 6
COMMITTEE to fight against their homes and land being bought by white citizens.
This committee proposed that District 6 be left as a desolate wasteland, and although
it took much time and effort, their demands were finally met. Today, District 6
remains an empty lot in the center of Cape Town and represents the struggles of
people of color during the apartheid era and even still today.
The District 6 Museum is made up of various memorabilia and
keepsakes donated by ex-residents of the area, and although it is small, it
holds a lot of Cape Town’s history. Our tour guide at the museum was a colored
man who actually lived in District 6 during the time of the forced removals,
and hearing his personal testimony was so powerful. He spoke as if he felt no
bitterness or animosity about the situation which was shocking to me because if
I were in his shoes I would probably have some resentment and start a
revolution. Well.. not really, but you know!
Anyways, the museum trip was a success, and it really got me
thinking! I have noticed many parallels between the apartheid in South Africa
and The Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Separate but NOT equal is what comes to mind because white people will
always receive the better (but somehow “equal”) version of what colored people receive.
In either instance, it is evident that both countries are still plagued with
racist ideologies even years post-apartheid and post-civil rights. It’s
impossible to erase the damage that history has done, especially since
apartheid just ended in 1994. The ideas of racism have been passed down from
generation to generation, and unfortunately this downward seems as though it
will only continue to trickle down to my children’s children.
I want to end this blog with a few quotes that my professors
said in class that really stood out to me. Peace&Love.
"Cape Town remains the most segregated city in Africa."
"Even though apartheid is over racism still exists... there is racism present here in Cape Town… at UWC… in this classroom."