Modern South Africa is a multiracial democratic society that officially embraces its diversity by, for instance, recognising 11 official languages. Nevertheless, our country is rife with prejudice against groups and individuals because of their race, religion, sexual orientation or other differences.
While we need to fight prejudice every day, on 21 March – as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Human Rights Day – all eyes are on the issue.
Prejudice often results in hate speech, which is an attack on a person or group on the basis of attributes such as gender, ethnic origin, religion, race, disability or sexual orientation.
In the face of hate speech, apathy will be interpreted as acceptance by the perpetrators, the public and, worse, the victims. If left unchallenged, hate persists and grows. Take the smallest hint of hate seriously – even what appears to be simple name calling. Slurs often escalate to harassment, harassment to threats and threats to physical violence.
Be part of the solution
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- We all grow up with prejudices and stereotypes. Acknowledging them and working through them is difficult but necessary if you’re to realise that every voice matters and all people are valuable.
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- Human rights experts recommend starting with the language you use and the assumptions you make about others. Are you quick to label people? Do you tell gay jokes? Do you look with disdain at beggars and the poor or do you try to understand the socio-economic forces that prevent many families from climbing out of poverty?
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- Victims of hate speech feel terribly alone and afraid. They’ve been attacked simply for being who they are – their skin colour, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Small acts of kindness – a phone call, a letter – can help them know that they’re valued.
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- Receive information about other cultures from members of those cultures – not from potentially biased, third-party sources.
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- Have the courage to ask a friend not to tell a sexist or racist or homophobic joke in your presence.
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- Encourage your children to interact with children of other cultures, build multicultural peace gardens or sponsor “walk in my shoes” activities.
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- Examine the media your children consume, from Internet sites to the commercials during their favourite TV shows. Stereotypes and issues of intolerance are bound to be present. Discuss these issues openly, as you would the dangers of sex and drugs.
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- Children learn from the language you use and the attitudes you model. If you demonstrate a deep respect for other cultures, races and walks of life, most likely they will too.
Many good books, films and workshops can help guide you in self-examination. Reading the histories of other cultures and of different social justice movements is a good start.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech
www.dailymaverick.co.za
www.gov.za/speeches/international-day-elimination-racial-discrimination-2017-15-nov-2016-1457
www.politicsweb.co.za
www.splcenter.org
www.welections.wordpress.com