More Questions Than Answers

Today we went to the University of Cape Town to learn more about the work that the PRAESA organization is conducting. This group works to promote multilingualism and raise the status of African languages. Even though the population of South Africa is 80% Black, there is a shortage of African children's books published in African languages. Hence, African stories become neglected in school. This group has begun publishing stories representing African cultures in their languages. In the Western Cape, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa are the main languages spoken.

As you have read thus far, I've been reflecting about the similarities between the experiences of Black Africans and Blacks in the US. In America, the major publishing houses don't want to publish stories about and with Black characters because they think that we don't read. However, in the US we're only 12% of the population. It is unbelievable that Black South Africans are experiencing the same issue and they are 80% of the population! It's amazing how groups who have oppressed others don't want them to know anything about themselves. Oh wait... that might be too liberating for them and then they might actually challenge their oppressors.

After the trip to the University of Cape Town, I went to Robben Island. I'm still processing the experience.