A Glimpse of South Africa

Not too long ago, I new very little to nothing about South Africa. The only few things that I new about it was it was located in the southern part of the continent (obviously), that it had beautiful beaches, and that the World Cup had taken place there.

After reading a little bit of South Africa's history, I couldn't help but wonder why American and South African shared so many similarities. Slavery, for example, was a common practice in both the Americas and the southern colonies of Africa, and although emancipation was ratified about 30 years earlier in South Africa, people of color faced discrimination and segregation (just as in the Americas). To justify such actions against (predominately) blacks, southern states in the U.S. passed laws known as "Jim Crow Laws" establishing African American's status as "separate but equal." Likewise, South Africa passed similar laws such as the "Bantu Education Act," disallowing black children from proper education claiming that they would not need it for the jobs they have as adults.

Today, neither country holds laws legally (or directly) segregating or discriminating on accounts of race. South Africa, however, is still recovering from their civil right movement that occurred in the 1980's and well into late 90's. We, in the U.S., could say that we are moderately progressive when it comes to civil rights and racial differences. Compared to the 1960's, discrimination - and racism - have gradually decreased to this day. South Africa, in the other hand, still faces such issues. Discrimination and social differences between blacks and whites is an evident part of South African life,  reflected by the homes, jobs, and lifestyles of each group. 

Interesting enough, not everything I learned about South Africa was its history. I gain a bit more insight on its economy, its lifestyle, and culture. In South Africa, for example, the most popular business industry is the mining industry, allocating about $4.7 trillion. Also, the country is familiar with popular "Western" (loosely used term) culture such as bands like One Direction, and sports such as Soccer and Cricket.

I will have a chance to listen to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of African Affairs, David Gilmour, talk to the group and I about his experience in South Africa. I'd like to know what his views on South Africa are, and how he would compare them to those he has on the United States. I'd like to hear about the similarities and differences in politics between the two countries, and their impact on current civil issues.