Today we went to the Zoological gardens. It was really interesting to see all that goes into running a zoo. The staff was especially wonderful as they took their time to explain all parts of the different departments (genetics, cell and tissue storage, reproductive research, etc) to us as well as show us around the zoo and have us interact with the animals and explaining their complex relationships. (Most of todays visit will be better understood after I post the video and pictures when I get back into the states).
Personally, most of today was actually spent in self reflection. This trip to South Africa is actually my first time out of the US without a group of people in which I have previously established relationships. Though this trip is a lot about academic education, much of it also has to do with reconciling all of these new experiences with a very diverse group of people. After 5 days, my experience is now beginning to give rise to some common themes that require closer examination.
So, hence the title of the post for the day. As interesting, fun, and great that some people are, they (as well as your self) can make you want to leave them behind in a zoo for closer examination and study. But, after posing a hypothesis, conducting research, and running some tests, one comes to a conclusion on which attitudes, habits and relationships are sustainable and necessary and which are transient and must be cleaned out.
"The most important time in history is, NOW, the present. So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence...Things I say and do, may not come quite through, My words may not convey just what I'm feelin" ~Talib Kweli
Today we were able to go into the local school district and observe classes as well as teach. This experience was one of the draws of the SAI program for me, so I was very excited.
When we first arrived we were introduced to the principal and the heads of the various departments. After all of that we were able to pair up with teachers that we were to shadow for the day.
Generally, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I was able to follow a Geography teacher and cot each a history class with one of the other participants. The most memorable portion of the day was when my portion of the class was discussing racial classification in South African and comparing it to America. I asked the student why I would be defined as "coloured" in South Africa and they proceeded to point out the difference in my hair texture as well as skin color. I then proceeded to ask what they thought I would be defined as in the US and after a brief pause, one of the students answered "a nigga".
Yes, yes. You read that correctly. MTv has gotten children all the way across the Atlantic to believe that this term is both descriptive and endearing term for melinated peoples. I would just like to take this moment to thank YMCMB for spending thousands of dollars and coming half way across the world to be called a nigga by a child. Needless to say, I stopped my lesson and broke down the "n-word" to these children to the point that they looked at me like a crazy person when I asked them if they wanted me to call them a "nigga". After this breakout lesson, I resumed my planned lesson. The idea was that I layed out a map of the world and took different pictures from across the diaspora and had the students guess which country the people were in. Here is a sample of some of the pictures...
The point of the lesson begin that poverty and stuggle exists in America as well as other "developed" countries. The results were quite interesting. One of the students found it so hard to believe that he said that I was lying and that I should prove it. The lesson was extremely successful, so much so that the students convinced their teacher to allow us to stay and continue to teach and so they could ask us more questions. The students also found it hard to believe that my own students struggle with gangs, drugs, teen pregnancy, and poverty just like they do in Mamelodi South Africa. I can't wait to bring this information back to my students to see their reaction.
NYU Mixer
That evening when we got back to the hotel, we got an opportunity to participate in a joint program with Professor Teboho Moja from the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. The lecture that we participated in was with Dr. Joseph B. Diescho, Director of International Relations and Partnerships at the University of South Africa. It was AMAZING! We got to hear from a person who was actually part of the liberation of the country and someone who is knowledgeable and realistic about its rebuilding. I also found a new interest in the whole Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) process that occurred. Though the process was not perfect and in some ways and views "Justice" was not realized. However, the very notion of forgiveness and reconciliation is completely foreign to African-Americans. I find the idea very African in construction and application in addressing an open political and painful occurrence. I am interested in bringing this idea back to the states and finding what others think of this idea.
"Tell me who knows, a peaceful place where I can go to clear my head I'm feelin low, losin control. My heart is sayin leave, oh what a tangle web we weave" ~TuPac
Today we worked with some volunteers at this great haven for mothers who are HIV positive and their children. HIV and AIDs are two things that after the mid 90s pretty much stopped getting talked about in the US (that may be because I was raised in the suburbs?) However, before summer break, I asked my students about what they know about HIV and AIDsand they have relayed that they just know its a life long disease that can kill you and to use condoms...which was actually a very sad response on account of how little it proves that they really don't know. It is no wonder why. In America, our top killers are Heart disease, Cancer, Chronic lower respiratory diseases, Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases), Accidents (unintentional injuries), Alzheimer's disease, Diabetes, Influenza and Pneumonia, Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis, & Intentional self-harm (suicide).HIV and AIDs is not even in our top ten to join in the conversation. However in South Africa, where it effects about six million in the population and is still a big stigma, it is a force to be reckoned with.
The point of todays visit was to assist the "Netfundis" (caretakers) with the implementation of an online mentorship program for the children and provide classroom management skills. In addition to this we assisted with the after school care and tutoring of students. It was interesting to find that the students aka teenagers provide the same difficulties no matter where there are in the world (lol). The highlight of my day was tutoring a young lady with her english homework and help her review a peer review assignment that was due for the next day. Though I am a teacher, it was a quite different side to help a student one-on-one and get the direct feedback rather than 5 min, 40 min, 1 day, 1 week, etc. later.
The Apartheid museum was an amazing museum to see. The different exhibits were a mix of interactive and regular artifacts. As a comparison to museums at home, I would say its a mix of the Brooklyn museum and Liberty Science Center. Overall, this museum was excellent. I definitely learned a lot and got many ideas for future lesson planning and curriculum. Due to the overall nature of of the museum, some portions were a little difficult to deal with, however, there were a few main ideas that continued to repeat itself.
Here's a pretty general and somewhat rosy explanation of the
Apartheid system, but it is a good overview.
The first thing that I thought about was in regard to globalization. All of the emphasis that has occurred on the subject within my lifetime made me assume that this was a new issue. However, the world had already been globalized long ago. I realized this after watching the news reels and seeing the same cars from the 50s it truly hit me, the "argument" about globalization from the Clinton years wasn't necessarily about the world being a smaller place. Furthermore, it made me think...If thats not what the argument was about, then what exactly was the angst and protesting about? (Please feel free to comment and or post links below)
The second thing that stuck out in my mind was how much the time periods of Jim Crow and Apartheid overlapped. It was interesting because I remember I kept thinking about how similar the experience was between our peoples across the Atlantic, yet people (specifically African Americans) still maintain the attitude that they aren't African. The more I walked through the museum the further confirmed the absolute necessity of the UNIA (and pan-african organizations like it) and the legacy and ideals of Marcus Garvey. Even now in 2012, African people, irregardless of their location, are still subjected to covert racism and the lures of the western model of "success". The the idea of domination and the Machiavellian methods employed by the British to colonize the rest of the world for empire have astonishing effects. The whole diaspora has been Willy Lynched. In that, they have continued the legacy of the oppressor through to the next generation that England and the "western world" doesn't even need to vigilantly watch African peoples. We are truly NOT a factor...WORLD WIDE!
The last theme that kept running through my mind from this museum was the idea of being a person who is described as "other" in such a racialized society. The museum began with an assumed identity, an entrant was either "white" or "non-white". As a person of color, I though it set the tone for understanding what it is like to be a participant in segregation. Additionally, it is interesting that the experience of "Indians" and "Coloureds" is briefly mentioned throughout but not often to understand their footing within Apartheid South Africa. This is also true of the "mulatto" and experiences of other racial groups during Jim Crow. Though the lighter skinned individuals and other groups were not subject to the same and horrible forms of opperssion and discrimination, it would still be quite interesting to illustrate all spectrums within the system.
The Voortrekker Monument
The final thing that I was thinking about came from the experience of visiting the Voortrekker museum. Though others in the group were upset by the blatant covert racism that was being displayed by our tour guide, I found it, at times, humorous as she constantly referred to her ancestral Afrikaan as TRUTH and even told the group to google the FACTS about her account of history. The most interesting part of that experience was that the harder she attempted to display her tolerance of other groups of people, she only dug herself deeper into a hole.
Honestly speaking, the woman was at least 60 years old and from times past...nothing more and nothing less. She provided an authentic view of the mindset that maintained Apartheid and represented how the "whities" (as she referred to herself) are attempting to regroup within South Africa. Though some of the things she said were quite contrary to other things she stated, it was on account of all of the double think that one must do when in explaining sensitive social contexts and to avoid cognitive dissonance.
To start out with, I have been in South Africa for the past four days. But have been having tremendous technicl difficulties -______- But alas, I have finally been able to get through it, so without further delay, I will have my updates (minus the pictures)......
DAY 1: JFK to JNB
Sleepily running to the plane
Before we left, we were advised to not even bother sleeping the night before the flight as it would throw us off of South Africa time. So, as I was advised, I did not sleep. MISTAKE #1! I was so tired that after I got to JFK I fell asleep in the airport and JUST made it through security to get on the plane.
Veg-Dinner
Veg-Breakfast
Since I didn't sleep the night before, I almost fell asleep immediately after boarding the flight. The parts that I do remember was the food, the built in tv/entertainment system and the general service. All in all, its much better than either of the other times that I've flown overseas.
Once we landed, got our luggage and exchanged our currency we found our transportation to Pretoria, which was 45 minutes from the airport. We were officially in SOUTH AFRICA!!
With three days left until departure, I scanned over my SAI syllabus to be sure that I haven't forgot anything and I realized that I missed an assignment that was due last week -_______- After completing it I thought it would be kind of neat to post here so that I can document the change that everyone has been reminding me is DEFINITELY going to occur as a result of this trip.
The Assignment...
Famed
author Eva Hoffman noted Jansen’s book as an inspiring blueprint for thinking
about social and personal transformation. In Jansen’s book he discusses his
seven-year journey towards personal transformation.Upon reading the book,prepare
(3) questionswhich you will use to begin the process of examining
your own transformation (personal, social, professional, etc.) in the context
of a culturally different society, prior to departure.
Personal
Racial self identification has always been a long standing
theme within my life. How has my understanding
of this identity been impacted or shifted by being in a country where the
racial stratification is different?
Social
How are the ideas of Pan-Africanism utilized to illustrate
the narrative of the African Diaspora [within South Africa]? How has class
impacted this narrative?
Professional
How are the education systems of South Africa and America
addressing the needs of “Urban” students of color? Through these similarities and differences,
what is my role as an educator to navigate the system in place but also create
change within these systems?
A Sidenote...
Heru-Ur
I do think that this trip is going to assist in transforming me. To be specific, this year has already been transformative for me on many levels. Last summer at Rep WenPet, I drew Heru-Ur. This was to say that over this year, I was going to grow and work toward growing into my higher self. So, this trip is truly the culmination of the personal process that I have been going through for the past year. Not so coincidentally, upon my return from South Africa, we will be having this years Rep WenPet celebration.
I have been speaking about my trip to South Africa for about a month now and I have made no mention on what exactly I will be doing there. So, without any further adieu, I would like to share my itinerary:
11th Annual Study Tour To South Africa...
Day 1 Departure From New York To South Africa
Day 2
Pretoria/ Welcome Reception
Day 3 Apartheid Museum/Vootrekker Monument
Day 4 Infinite Family/ Nkosi’s Haven/Film: University Pretoria
Day 5 Mamelodi Schools/ NYU Mixer
Day 6 National Zoological Gardens
Day 7
Mamelodi Schools
Day 8
Mamelodi Schools
Day 9 Teboho
Trust / Hector Pieterson Museum
Day10 Travel To Cape Town
Day 11
Kalksteenfontein Primary School/ Blog Share
Day 12 Kalksteinfontein School
Day 13
Kalksteinfontein School/ Blog Share
Day 14 Kalksteinfontein School
Day 15
District 6 Museum/ Robben Island/V & A Waterfront
Day 16
Free-
Suggested Activities
Day 17
Depart South Africa For USA
Day 18
Arrive @ JFK
Thoughts... "The South Africa Initiative (SAI) is an interdisciplinary
program that provides teachers and students from America and South Africa with
the opportunity to bridge cultures and exchange information through service
learning, training and distance technology that leads to educational gains for
students and educators in both countries." (SAI website)
From all of the preparation that the other travelers and I have been doing over the past few months, I understand the complexity of the different activities that are planned for this trip. I also understand that many of these experiences will be racially charged, so I am taking the time to look up each place I am going so I am not caught off guard.
The Details...
Pertoria:
Named after Andries Pretorius (leader of the Boers (Dutch farmers) in 1838), It
is one of three capitals of South Africa
with a population that exceeds a million people. It is the former capital of the apartheid
government, and Pretoria itself is sometimes referred to as "Tshwane"
due to a long-running and controversial proposed change of name, which has yet
to be decided, as of 2012. The main languages spoken are Pedi, Afrikaans,
Tswana, Tsonga, Zulu and English. Even since the end of Apartheid, Pretoria
still has a white majority, albeit an ever increasing black middle-class.
Apartheid Museum: Opened in 2001 and is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story. I'm really looking forward to seeing this museum. As with many museums, its all about the artifacts and truly learning about the past, not only for my own personal knowledge but as an educator and historian.
Vootrekker Monument
Vootrekker Monument: A Monument that
commemorates the Pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the
Afrikaner. It is the most visited heritage site of its kind in Gauteng and one
of the top ten cultural historical visitor attractions in the country. It is
also to the historical preservation of the Blood River Heritage Site (The
site where the Voortrekkers (Dutch farmer pioneers) and amaZulu (Native
Africans: Zulu) battled for land on 16 December 1838. The Voortrekkers fought
under Andries Pretorius while King Dingane’s impi (fighters) were led by Ndlela
kaSompisi.
The Battle of Blood River
Nkosi's Haven: A recognized NGO in South Africa that has been in operation since 1999 offering holistic care and support for destitute HIV/AIDS infected mothers, her children, and resulting AIDS orphans (infected or not). Named after Nkosi Johnson, a young AIDS activist who passed away on International Children’s Day on June 1st 2001, who dearly wanted a facility that would care for the mom and her child. He had been separated from his mom because of the HIV diagnosis and he never wanted that to happen to any other child. He also wanted HIV positive people to be cared for without discrimination or prejudice.
Mamelodi Schools: Public and Private Schools in
Mamelodi, Pretoria. While in Mamelodi, I will have the opportunity to teach and
interact with learners and educators for three days.
National Zoological Gardens: An 85-hectare (210-acre) zoo located in Pretoria,
and is the national zoo of South Africa. The Centre breeds many endangered
species including white rhino, Pere David's deer, Cape mountain zebra,
scimitar-horned oryx and Arabian oryx. The zoo houses 3117 specimens of 209
mammal species, 1358 specimens of 202 bird species, 3871 specimens of 190 fish
species, 388 specimens of 4 invertebrate species, 309 specimens of 93 reptile
species, and 44 specimens of 7 amphibian species. The National Zoological
Gardens of South Africa is the largest zoo in the country and the only one with
national status.
Teboho Trust: Started in February 2001, Teboho Trust provides programs and
activities to educate and empower orphan, vulnerable and at-risk children /
adolescents(Ages 4-18).It also facilitate
the development of small enterprises for their caregivers, out-of-school youth
and adults in the community.
Hector Pieterson Museum: Opened in June 2002, near the place where Hector Pieterson was shot (at the age of 13) in Orlando West during the 1976Soweto uprising.The museum
was erected to honor Hector and those who died around the country
in the 1976 uprising. Since it’s opening
the museum has become a major tourist attraction. The start of the museum
begins with pictures of Hector Pierterson's death. The museum fuses memorabilia
with modern technology and cultural history.
Moving onto Cape Town...
Kalksteenfontein Primary School: The
Kalksteenfontein School is located in the Cape Flats of the Western Cape region
of South Africa, not too far from Cape Town. The private school is a refuge for
many of its students, which live in poverty. While in Kalksteenfontein, I will
have the opportunity to teach and interact with learners and educators for four
days.
District 6 Museum: Founded
in December 1994, The District Six Museum, chronicles the experiences and the
history of forced removals of District Six.
Originally established as a mixed community
of freed slaves, merchants, artisans, laborers and immigrants, District Six was
a vibrant centre with close links to the city and the port. The first to
be 'resettled' were black South Africans, forcibly displaced from the District
in 1901. In 1966 it was declared a white area under the Group Areas Act of
1950, and by 1982, the life of the community was over. 60 000 people were
forcibly removed to barren outlying areas aptly known as the Cape Flats, and
their houses in District Six were flattened by bulldozers.
Robben Island: From
the 17thto the
20thcenturies,
Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment(a
prison).FormerPresident of South Africa Nelson Mandela and former
South African PresidentKgalema Motlanthe, alongside many other political
prisoners, spent 27 years imprisoned during theapartheid era.
V & A Waterfront: Victoria & Alfred Waterfrontin the historic
heart ofCape Town's working
harbor is South Africa'smost-visited destination, having the highest
rate of foreign tourists of any attraction in the country. Situated betweenRobben Island andTable Mountain and set against a backdrop of sea and
mountain views, it offers a variety of shopping and entertainment options to
visitors, intermingled with office locations, theSomerset Hospital, hotels (such as the
historicalBreakwater
Lodge
- once a 19th centuryprison) and luxury
apartments in the residentialmarina.
My Free Day...
Thus far I have thought of two major things I want to do with my free day.
1) Go on a safari! Honestly I don't know how any one could pass it up. And I definitely don't know when the next time will be when I can see real live animals in their natural habitat. So check & check.
2) shop, Shop, SHOP!! I may even end up with the exact same ecstatic yet pleased look on my face by the time the day is over.
Ahh, one week and counting, can you tell I am getting EXCITED!!
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