Thought Leader » Christi van der Westhuizen » This is us. Welcome to South Africa
"This is us. No miracle nation. No rainbow nation. Just us: violent; intolerant of difference — hitting where it hurts. Let’s not try to sweet-talk ourselves. This is who we are. Let’s look ourselves in the eye."
Analysis on the state of South Africa. I love South Africa, and my heart hurts for the entire region at this moment.
The same could be said about my own country. And yet, the fibers of hope exist in both our countries as courageous souls dare to imagine a different world. but today is a a day of truth: let's look ourselves in the eye. Let's admit our failings, the violence that infects us all.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
a purity ball
Dancing the Night Away, With a Higher Purpose - New York Times
The article itself is enough to make my stomach turn. Anyone familiar with the Christian sex cult will probably be familiar with the terminology and premise of the "purity ball." To be fair, there are some valid points, and I trust that the intentions are good, though perhaps a bit disconnected from the more complex realities of sex and the soul. Because of my own history and background, the rhetoric will always strike a raw never with me: I pledge "before God to cover my daughter as her authority and protection in the area of purity.” Psychoanalysis aside, I realize that there are many different opinions on this issue depending on which perspective you come from. Some will read this article and find comfort in it. They will see it as an affirmation of a system of truth and God's design for humanity. Some will read this article and feel outrage because it seems a cultural perversion and colonization of the gospel. Others with no religious background or a complicated background will read archaic systems of patriarchy and sexism at the core of the "purity" campaign, and feel anger or sorrow at the messages it transmits to both women and men. Others will nostalgically long for things to be so simple.
I could talk about this article for hours, but the picture slide show is what really caught my attention. Pictures speak louder than words. What "system" or "culture" is the purity ball trying to transmit? It seems to me based on the pictures that it is transmitting a fairy tale vision hearkening back to a bygone era that was based on chivalry, where princesses where rescued, guarded, and protected by princes, knights, and kings: men who would fight for them. Now, the question is --- did such a time really ever exist --- and even so, wouldn't it be bizarre to hold such a culture up as a biblical model when it is clearly based on the western modern tradition?
Then of course, we have all the purity symbols: laying a "white" rose at the cross, "white" ballerinas dancing around a cross, and I guess "princess" attire now qualifies as one too. Probably at some point, this all would have made sense to me, but now looking in as an outsider, this just feels extremely creepy! I guess I just wish that those on the inside could understand a bit what it looks like from the outside.
More than a purity ball, I just wish parents and children could have open, real, honest discussion about sex and God in an integrated way that connects to the here and now --- not some fantasy realm. It seems like this is what is really needed because when it comes to sex most teenagers and young adults (religious or not) are really confused. When you actually look at the data, this generation longs to bring together sex and the soul, but they often struggle in reconciling these two spheres. What is clear is that while things like the purity ball can offer some forms of integration, it comes at a high price that often results in extreme feelings of shame and inadequacy when people feel like they somehow violated their "purity." Even more alarming is that this burden disproportionally falls on women who are taught to view themselves as guardians or gatekeepers in the purity battle. Unfortunately, the real causality of this battle most often is meaningful participation in a faith community and relationship with God. This is something that should cause all people of faith to pause and assess the real impact of purity ideology.
The article itself is enough to make my stomach turn. Anyone familiar with the Christian sex cult will probably be familiar with the terminology and premise of the "purity ball." To be fair, there are some valid points, and I trust that the intentions are good, though perhaps a bit disconnected from the more complex realities of sex and the soul. Because of my own history and background, the rhetoric will always strike a raw never with me: I pledge "before God to cover my daughter as her authority and protection in the area of purity.” Psychoanalysis aside, I realize that there are many different opinions on this issue depending on which perspective you come from. Some will read this article and find comfort in it. They will see it as an affirmation of a system of truth and God's design for humanity. Some will read this article and feel outrage because it seems a cultural perversion and colonization of the gospel. Others with no religious background or a complicated background will read archaic systems of patriarchy and sexism at the core of the "purity" campaign, and feel anger or sorrow at the messages it transmits to both women and men. Others will nostalgically long for things to be so simple.
I could talk about this article for hours, but the picture slide show is what really caught my attention. Pictures speak louder than words. What "system" or "culture" is the purity ball trying to transmit? It seems to me based on the pictures that it is transmitting a fairy tale vision hearkening back to a bygone era that was based on chivalry, where princesses where rescued, guarded, and protected by princes, knights, and kings: men who would fight for them. Now, the question is --- did such a time really ever exist --- and even so, wouldn't it be bizarre to hold such a culture up as a biblical model when it is clearly based on the western modern tradition?
Then of course, we have all the purity symbols: laying a "white" rose at the cross, "white" ballerinas dancing around a cross, and I guess "princess" attire now qualifies as one too. Probably at some point, this all would have made sense to me, but now looking in as an outsider, this just feels extremely creepy! I guess I just wish that those on the inside could understand a bit what it looks like from the outside.
More than a purity ball, I just wish parents and children could have open, real, honest discussion about sex and God in an integrated way that connects to the here and now --- not some fantasy realm. It seems like this is what is really needed because when it comes to sex most teenagers and young adults (religious or not) are really confused. When you actually look at the data, this generation longs to bring together sex and the soul, but they often struggle in reconciling these two spheres. What is clear is that while things like the purity ball can offer some forms of integration, it comes at a high price that often results in extreme feelings of shame and inadequacy when people feel like they somehow violated their "purity." Even more alarming is that this burden disproportionally falls on women who are taught to view themselves as guardians or gatekeepers in the purity battle. Unfortunately, the real causality of this battle most often is meaningful participation in a faith community and relationship with God. This is something that should cause all people of faith to pause and assess the real impact of purity ideology.
Monday, May 19, 2008
her name is Memory
This is Zimbabwe » Blog Archive » Her name is Memory
The philosopher Emmanuel Levinas writes extensively on the notion of the "face." Basically, he says that the face of the other is a moral imperative that forces us to choose between protection/care and murder. The face of the other confronts us with the command "thou shalt not kill." It breaks into our reality and creates a crisis where we are forced to choose between justice and murder. In this moment of crisis in Zimbabwe, the world is being asked to confront the face of the other: the face of the oppressed, the tortured, and the destitute. Today, the face of the other is aptly named, Memory.
The question is will we see? And if we do, what will our response be?
We should not fool ourselves. The choice is between justice and murder.
The philosopher Emmanuel Levinas writes extensively on the notion of the "face." Basically, he says that the face of the other is a moral imperative that forces us to choose between protection/care and murder. The face of the other confronts us with the command "thou shalt not kill." It breaks into our reality and creates a crisis where we are forced to choose between justice and murder. In this moment of crisis in Zimbabwe, the world is being asked to confront the face of the other: the face of the oppressed, the tortured, and the destitute. Today, the face of the other is aptly named, Memory.
The question is will we see? And if we do, what will our response be?
We should not fool ourselves. The choice is between justice and murder.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Statement by Morgan Tsvangirai : 10 May 2008
On March 29th the people of Zimbabwe won an historic victory.That historic and resounding victory should have heralded a new and joyful era for all Zimbabweans. Instead Zimbabweans have endured confusion, pain, death and despair as the result of a violent onslaught against the people by Zanu PF.
As is now well documented, my opponent in this race has decided to turn his thugs on the people. The former liberator has turned his back on the people of Zimbabwe and on the entire continent of Africa.
It is very, very sad for me to call Mugabe a former liberator. It is sad for me to say that he has turned his back on both his people and his continent. Mugabe was once my hero too. Because of his sacrifices, millions of our citizens are well educated and had great opportunities to grow and prosper.
But something happened to Mugabe on our long walk to freedom, something happened that hardened his heart. Something happened that made him abandon the very people he once fought to free.
He has unleashed violence on his own children, the people of Zimbabwe.
And for those carrying out the violence on the ground, the police, the militia, the army and the so called war veterans now is the time to give very serious thought to the implications of further attacks on innocent civilians. You are breaking Zimbabwean and international laws and the whole world is watching.
The time is now for our professional security services to follow their hearts and become professional again, rather than follow a former liberation hero on his path to destruction. You will be in Zimbabwe long after Mugabe is gone.
In view of the unfolding post-election tragedy, the leadership of the MDC, civil society, and all democratic forces have had a very difficult decision to make. We know the betrayal of ballots being followed by bullets. We know that another election may bring more violence, more gloom, more betrayal.
We know there should not be a runoff election – there was only one reason the ZEC announced results before completing verification. We know the verified total would have revealed the full extent of the dictatorship's defeat – and the full extent of the peoples' victory.
But we also know a runoff election could finally knock-out the dictator for good. A runoff election could be the final round in a very long fight to liberate ourselves from our former liberator.
We know that we have won, but do we nevertheless decide to contest a runoff election to hasten the end of this debacle? Or do we wait and hope for the political environment to improve, for mediation to start, for mediation to end….all the while the people continue to suffer?
I have asked the MDC, civil society and other democratic forces to assess the feeling of the people on the ground. Do they want a runoff election? Will they vote despite the violent attacks? Could they possibly have confidence in the ZEC again?
To be honest, the answers are very mixed. Some report that they believe the people are too afraid to vote, that they are displaced by the destruction of their homes and not even near their polling stations any more. Others point to the fact that the ZEC betrayed them once and will do so again. Others say it is simply not fair to push the people into an election.
I consider all of these valid points of view. No one can dispute that going into an alleged runoff of an election that you have already won – an election controlled by an opponent whose election tactics unapologetically include stealing and killing - is a risky venture indeed.
What matters now is what we, as Zimbabweans, think is the best way to move ourselves out of this crisis. Are we brave enough? Are we strong enough? Are we angry enough?
The overwhelming sentiment that emerged from the people of Zimbabwe is that they are ready for change now, not later. They want a chance for a better life now, and they believe that the MDC can give them that chance. They believe that we as nation are brave enough, we are strong enough and we are angry enough to fight an election once again. We as MDC believe our people would feel betrayed if we shied away from the final knock out. We have lost hundreds of people in the democracy movement since 1999. Their sacrifices must not be in vain. We must fulfill the dreams of our people who have been betrayed and traumatized since March 29th.
The MDC has decided that we will contest the runoff and the people will finally prevail. The people have spoken before, and the people will speak again. I am ready and the people are ready for the final round.
Legally this election should be no later than May 24th, two weeks from today, and that is the date we are preparing for. If Zanu PF and the ZEC hope to retain what little credibility they have left they will abide by the law and declare the Presidential runoff election between today and that date.
Therefore I shall return to Zimbabwe within the next two days.
I shall return to Zimbabwe to begin a Victory Tour. Some might say this term "Victory" is cold and callous given the hardships endured by the people.
But the people are victorious. And they are being punished for their victory. We must free ourselves from those who would steal victory from fellow brothers and sisters by using guns, sticks and screwdrivers.
In the last four weeks many leaders have rallied to the cause of Zimbabwe. To SADC Chairman Mwanamwasa and African Union Chairman Kikwete, and many of your colleagues, I want to say thank you. When Zimbabwe rejoins the family of democratic nations, history will remember what you did for your brave, peace loving African brothers and sisters now living in fear of their own government.
I want to thank the labor unions and Cosatu for refusing to allow the illegitimate regime of Zanu PF to access more weapons for use against its own people.
To Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and others in the international community, we thank you and appreciate all your work. We will continue to count on you, SADC and the AU, to ensure the upcoming runoff is administered fairly, with transparency, neutrality and professionalism.
And finally, I thank the people of Zimbabwe for their courage and devotion to democracy. And I ask them not to lose hope. Together let us finish the job. Together let us have faith that this time, the ballot paper will truly liberate our country.
I thank you.
As is now well documented, my opponent in this race has decided to turn his thugs on the people. The former liberator has turned his back on the people of Zimbabwe and on the entire continent of Africa.
It is very, very sad for me to call Mugabe a former liberator. It is sad for me to say that he has turned his back on both his people and his continent. Mugabe was once my hero too. Because of his sacrifices, millions of our citizens are well educated and had great opportunities to grow and prosper.
But something happened to Mugabe on our long walk to freedom, something happened that hardened his heart. Something happened that made him abandon the very people he once fought to free.
He has unleashed violence on his own children, the people of Zimbabwe.
And for those carrying out the violence on the ground, the police, the militia, the army and the so called war veterans now is the time to give very serious thought to the implications of further attacks on innocent civilians. You are breaking Zimbabwean and international laws and the whole world is watching.
The time is now for our professional security services to follow their hearts and become professional again, rather than follow a former liberation hero on his path to destruction. You will be in Zimbabwe long after Mugabe is gone.
In view of the unfolding post-election tragedy, the leadership of the MDC, civil society, and all democratic forces have had a very difficult decision to make. We know the betrayal of ballots being followed by bullets. We know that another election may bring more violence, more gloom, more betrayal.
We know there should not be a runoff election – there was only one reason the ZEC announced results before completing verification. We know the verified total would have revealed the full extent of the dictatorship's defeat – and the full extent of the peoples' victory.
But we also know a runoff election could finally knock-out the dictator for good. A runoff election could be the final round in a very long fight to liberate ourselves from our former liberator.
We know that we have won, but do we nevertheless decide to contest a runoff election to hasten the end of this debacle? Or do we wait and hope for the political environment to improve, for mediation to start, for mediation to end….all the while the people continue to suffer?
I have asked the MDC, civil society and other democratic forces to assess the feeling of the people on the ground. Do they want a runoff election? Will they vote despite the violent attacks? Could they possibly have confidence in the ZEC again?
To be honest, the answers are very mixed. Some report that they believe the people are too afraid to vote, that they are displaced by the destruction of their homes and not even near their polling stations any more. Others point to the fact that the ZEC betrayed them once and will do so again. Others say it is simply not fair to push the people into an election.
I consider all of these valid points of view. No one can dispute that going into an alleged runoff of an election that you have already won – an election controlled by an opponent whose election tactics unapologetically include stealing and killing - is a risky venture indeed.
What matters now is what we, as Zimbabweans, think is the best way to move ourselves out of this crisis. Are we brave enough? Are we strong enough? Are we angry enough?
The overwhelming sentiment that emerged from the people of Zimbabwe is that they are ready for change now, not later. They want a chance for a better life now, and they believe that the MDC can give them that chance. They believe that we as nation are brave enough, we are strong enough and we are angry enough to fight an election once again. We as MDC believe our people would feel betrayed if we shied away from the final knock out. We have lost hundreds of people in the democracy movement since 1999. Their sacrifices must not be in vain. We must fulfill the dreams of our people who have been betrayed and traumatized since March 29th.
The MDC has decided that we will contest the runoff and the people will finally prevail. The people have spoken before, and the people will speak again. I am ready and the people are ready for the final round.
Legally this election should be no later than May 24th, two weeks from today, and that is the date we are preparing for. If Zanu PF and the ZEC hope to retain what little credibility they have left they will abide by the law and declare the Presidential runoff election between today and that date.
Therefore I shall return to Zimbabwe within the next two days.
I shall return to Zimbabwe to begin a Victory Tour. Some might say this term "Victory" is cold and callous given the hardships endured by the people.
But the people are victorious. And they are being punished for their victory. We must free ourselves from those who would steal victory from fellow brothers and sisters by using guns, sticks and screwdrivers.
In the last four weeks many leaders have rallied to the cause of Zimbabwe. To SADC Chairman Mwanamwasa and African Union Chairman Kikwete, and many of your colleagues, I want to say thank you. When Zimbabwe rejoins the family of democratic nations, history will remember what you did for your brave, peace loving African brothers and sisters now living in fear of their own government.
I want to thank the labor unions and Cosatu for refusing to allow the illegitimate regime of Zanu PF to access more weapons for use against its own people.
To Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and others in the international community, we thank you and appreciate all your work. We will continue to count on you, SADC and the AU, to ensure the upcoming runoff is administered fairly, with transparency, neutrality and professionalism.
And finally, I thank the people of Zimbabwe for their courage and devotion to democracy. And I ask them not to lose hope. Together let us finish the job. Together let us have faith that this time, the ballot paper will truly liberate our country.
I thank you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)