We have had the rare opportunity to explore the major museums of South Africa including:
The Castle of Good Hope: a replenishment station used during colonization that consisted of three museums
Iziko Slave Museum: slave evolution with a Nelson Mandela exhibit
District Six Museum: accounts of forced removal during apartheid
Quotes that struck me during our tours and individual exploration of the museums:
“In the light of the memory and remembering – through the streams of our sense – reconnecting – recollecting – we find our way home” –The Slave Dream
“Nothing is more important than human thinking.”
“Wisdom?”
“Encourage! Try! Fail! Persist!” – Tom Peters
“To live life of joy, fill it with love.”
“Never doubt what few committed human being can do to change the world.”
“We are made to reach for the stars.”
“Joy in spite of everything.”
“We are just one race.”
“I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds there are many more hills to climb.” –Nelson Mandela
“…It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.” – William Ernest
“Good moral character is not something that we can achieve on our own. We need a culture that supports the conditions under which self-love and friendship flourish.” –Aristotle
“I quickly realized that I had to make my way on the basis of my ability, not my heritage.”
“It struck me that our history is contained in the homes we live in, that are shaped by the ability of these simple structures to resist being defiled.” – Achmat Danger
“If you prick a person’s finger, what color will come out? Human beings all bleed red.”
“I am what I am both as a result of people who respected me and helped and of those who did not respect me and treated me badly.” –Nelson Mandela
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” –Nelson Mandela
“You encourage people by seeing the good in them.” –Nelson Mandela
“One of the most difficult things is not to change society, but to change yourself.”
“Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” –Langsten Hughes
Visiting these places brought out a lot of emotions. From the brutal past of slavery and colonization, torture, and apartheid activity to the present continuation of segregation and assumptions of keeping past legacy alive, one becomes depressed and saddened by the consistency. A feeling of guilt floods the mind. It is almost sick how much more opportunity we have compared a large portion of the population here. I recognize that South African hardships and devastating past is still very fresh. Consequently, the process of recovering and reorganizing is still in the beginning stages and there is much work to be done before differences are not resolved but are respected.
Walking through the Nelson Mandela exhibit was inspirational. How one person can inspire a country to look past their differences and do better is a skill that can define a leader. He used the tool of creativity to use sports to facilitate unity and create a common bond among all people. It was a tactic that opened numerous doors for the country to advance. One major question that I ask myself is how I inspire people to do better and how I motivate people?
District Six Museum showed me ways that people conquer their struggles. Poems were posted explaining enlightening moments as well as explaining the worst of times. Pictures displayed “before and after” of the destruction of the district. Before was a successful street that was flooded with people of all ages and thriving businesses. After it was transformed into a barren desert street. It amazes me and hurts me to think of how quickly things turn over and how appalling it can be. This particular removal affected thousands of families. They moved from a functioning happy lifestyle to living in the Cape Flats in extreme poverty that took over lives and left them with solely the clothes on their back and family. I am thankful to say that without a supportive and loving family, I would not be where I am today. I can’t imagine how powerful the concept of family would be for these people and their transition. What did those people do who didn’t have a support system? How have these people risen to where they are today? What techniques did they use to cope with the pain of the transition? What leadership qualities are required in an event such as this? How do I utilize my relationships as a support system or as tools to accomplish my goals and seek out my ambitions?
Even in the short amount of time that we have been here and the little that we have explored, I can’t explain the emotions that I have felt, the relationship that I have built and the information that I have gathered. It is a unique experience that I know will change my life.
No comments:
Post a Comment