Sub - Divisions
April 30, 2006
What is the difference between paranoia and fear? Is there one?
South Africa is a land of division. Everything is compartmentalized into its own little box. This seems to be true socially, psychologically and physically.
Everywhere we turned there were fences. Each house in Jo’burg has an eight foot wall topped with razor wire or electric wire. There is a remotely operated gate that allows you inside. These walls were also prevalent in Durban, although not so much in Cape Town.
Everyone we talk to about these walls has the same response; “You get used to them. Even with the walls though, they still get in.” Them, the faceless bad guy. The one that is there solely to do you harm. It is not said aloud but everybody is fearful. The society is split.
Even in the countryside there are walls. Driving to Pilanesburg we observed huge communities walled to the outside. The houses within were massive, each with its own security fencing around it. Immediately outside the outer walls were the shantytowns. No fences around the shanties. Do you suppose that’s because the people there aren’t scared? Or maybe they just feel they have nothing to protect. How does one lead a life inside walls?
I know these walls exist in the US. I have seen them. Upscale houses always have large barriers to keep the undesirables out. In South Africa it starts to feel as if the entire country is walled off. Are they locking others out or locking themselves in? None of us could quite get a handle on it.
I have started reading a book on South African history. It’s rather thick, but is well written and is so far an easy read. Apparently the Dutch originally wanted to build a canal between Table Bay and False Bay. This would have effectively cut off Cape Town from the rest of the continent. A permanent barrier between us and them. In the end it was deemed too labor intensive so they opted for a giant hedge instead. It was a hedge that stretched for miles. A physical barrier, built in the seventeenth century, to keep them out.
It’s interesting to me; this trip, this exploration, these observations of a foreign land. It is easy for me to sit and be judgmental. In the meantime, I understand that the great leaders of our own nation are discussing ways to build their own walls to keep them out.
What is this fear of others? Is it cultivated or inherent? We see it even here in Mali. Let me emphasize that the West Africans I have interacted with are the friendliest, kindest people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. They are poor. They are hungry. They are not violent or vindictive. Yet we can’t find one person to help us teach English in the village. The idea of traveling to the village once a week and speaking to the natives is out of the question for the ex-pats. We have met ex-pats who have never set foot in a bar in the village. Some have semi-legitimate excuses such as a lack of transportation, but most are just plain scared to step outside their walls.
I am bewildered. I am at a loss. I am sad. It seems we are more adept at building walls than tearing them down.
MJR
What is the difference between paranoia and fear? Is there one?
South Africa is a land of division. Everything is compartmentalized into its own little box. This seems to be true socially, psychologically and physically.
Everywhere we turned there were fences. Each house in Jo’burg has an eight foot wall topped with razor wire or electric wire. There is a remotely operated gate that allows you inside. These walls were also prevalent in Durban, although not so much in Cape Town.
Everyone we talk to about these walls has the same response; “You get used to them. Even with the walls though, they still get in.” Them, the faceless bad guy. The one that is there solely to do you harm. It is not said aloud but everybody is fearful. The society is split.
Even in the countryside there are walls. Driving to Pilanesburg we observed huge communities walled to the outside. The houses within were massive, each with its own security fencing around it. Immediately outside the outer walls were the shantytowns. No fences around the shanties. Do you suppose that’s because the people there aren’t scared? Or maybe they just feel they have nothing to protect. How does one lead a life inside walls?
I know these walls exist in the US. I have seen them. Upscale houses always have large barriers to keep the undesirables out. In South Africa it starts to feel as if the entire country is walled off. Are they locking others out or locking themselves in? None of us could quite get a handle on it.
I have started reading a book on South African history. It’s rather thick, but is well written and is so far an easy read. Apparently the Dutch originally wanted to build a canal between Table Bay and False Bay. This would have effectively cut off Cape Town from the rest of the continent. A permanent barrier between us and them. In the end it was deemed too labor intensive so they opted for a giant hedge instead. It was a hedge that stretched for miles. A physical barrier, built in the seventeenth century, to keep them out.
It’s interesting to me; this trip, this exploration, these observations of a foreign land. It is easy for me to sit and be judgmental. In the meantime, I understand that the great leaders of our own nation are discussing ways to build their own walls to keep them out.
What is this fear of others? Is it cultivated or inherent? We see it even here in Mali. Let me emphasize that the West Africans I have interacted with are the friendliest, kindest people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. They are poor. They are hungry. They are not violent or vindictive. Yet we can’t find one person to help us teach English in the village. The idea of traveling to the village once a week and speaking to the natives is out of the question for the ex-pats. We have met ex-pats who have never set foot in a bar in the village. Some have semi-legitimate excuses such as a lack of transportation, but most are just plain scared to step outside their walls.
I am bewildered. I am at a loss. I am sad. It seems we are more adept at building walls than tearing them down.
MJR
posted by Bronx to Timbuktu at 3:19 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home