While walking through this museum and reading more about the history of South Africa, I experienced so many emotions that I am still trying to process; anger, shame, disbelief and pure sadness among them. One sign in particular really erked me and brought me to tears, it read: "FOR USE BY WHITE PERSONS: THESE PREMISES AND THE AMENITIES THEREOF HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF WHITE PERSONS. BY ORDER PROVINCIAL SECRETARY".
The rest of the time spent in that museum I felt really angry and ashamed. Although I understand that I wasn't present in South Africa during apartheid, I had gained perspective as to what the colour of my skin represents. It was no longer about who I am as Claire, it was now about how people perceived my white skin. Coming to South Africa for me means different things, like how I want to learn about life in a township, about race relations and just listen to peoples stories and experiences, but for South Africans I represent something completely different than all of that, like privilege. A word I am beginning to dislike - why are some given opportunities while others are physically, mentally and emotionally oppressed? So many questions come to mind each and every day I spend here and I am beginning to learn more not only about the way things were, but about the perspective of South Africans who were either directly impacted by apartheid, or are growing up now learning from their parents and grandparents. The most common story I am hearing is that it is time to move forward from the past - time to unite as one, black, white, coloured, whatever, to create a nation that can forgive and move on to bigger and better things!
"We wish to remember so that we can all, together and by ourselves, rebuild a city which belongs to all of us, in which all of us can live, not as races but as people."
