When We Were Black

We were told we're less humane, that we had nothing to contribute to society, that we were primitive. Our culture, values, norms and way of life was looked down at. Heck, even our names weren't good enough.

When we were black, we were told where we could live, work, what we could and couldn't own. We were told what we could and couldn't study, whom we could associate with.

When we were black, 'n pritag taal was shoved down our throats, all because of someone else's insecurities. When we were black, we revolted, we fought against a system, we fought for change.

When we were black, we got humiliated.

Heck, we're still black. We're still waiting for books to be delivered to our school. We're still waiting for that school you promised,  that university, that hospital, that road.

We're still black, we're still waiting for that better life for all. We're still black, and still waiting for clean, running water.

When we were black, we were humiliated

We're still black, we're still humiliated. Even more humiliating is that the humiliator is black, humiliating fellow Afrikans.

When we were black.

When you fly those three jets for one trip, when you sign that lease deal, when you issue that tender, when you behave like a skhothane with public funds, keep this in mind…

At some point, you and I were both black.