Eye-opening is the word that best describes my time with Dr. John Kani at The Apartheid Museum. Dr. Kani is a famous South African actor and activist who is considered an expert on his country’s history.

In school, I learned that the U.S. Civil Rights Movement was similar to the struggle against Apartheid. The two are very different, and Dr. Kani explained both to me. In the United States, those fighting in the Civil Rights Movement wanted equality. African-Americans weren’t to allowed vote. Buses, restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, and even schools were segregated.

In South Africa, the system denied non-whites these things as well, but Apartheid was founded on the idea of completely separating racial groups. Under the laws of the National Party, blacks suffered the most.

South Africa started similarly to America. In both countries, Dutch and British powers claimed lands that belonged to native populations. When the Europeans arrived in South Africa in the 17th century, informal laws began to restrict travel by native people. Laws also controlled where they could live. Blacks, coloured, and Indians saw their rights quickly being taken away in 1948. By the mid 1900s, the Apartheid government didn’t consider blacks to be human beings.

The end of Apartheid happened during my lifetime. Some of the worst violence during the struggle took place in the 1980s and 1990s. When I was in middle school, children my age in South Africa were fighting for equality in education. Adults died while protecting their homeland. Children and adults fought for basic rights that I have had all my life.

By learning about the history of Apartheid, I can better understand the history of our world and how people young and old can create change for the good. Dr. Kani spoke about his wish for a brighter future. He encouraged me to be a better global citizen and work toward making positive change in the world.

Extra Credit: Enhance your knowledge of South African history by learning about the pass laws and the ANC.

Keep going: Get into some South African song & dance.

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