Opinion / Letters
Is there a future for whites in SA?
05 Apr 2011 at 08:56hrs | Views
This letter was first published on the news24 website and we thought it is relevant for regional integration.
The letter goes like:
I am a white woman. I started my high school career in the New South Africa. As a child I did not know racism but I did receive a good education.
My education wasn't handed to me – post-1994 opportunities arose for my mom to work her butt off to pay for my education. My education came at the expense of having a working mother who often worked close to 12 hours a day.
I have a learning disability, but am by no means disabled. Getting my education was difficult at times and there were many times that I was at the point of giving up.
Today, I have a degree, seven years of valuable experience, excellent references and most people don't know about my learning disability - because I'm pretty smart but I cannot find a job.
I have a deeply passionate love for our country and cannot think of anything worse than being forced to look for jobs in another country.
I understand Affirmative Action and have worked for a boss who was a product of Affirmative Action and I could not have asked for a better boss.
She was fantastic, worked hard and was always willing to teach me and develop me. I also understand the torn History of our country.
However, as an educated, hardworking South African with valuable skills I find that because of my skin colour I am not being given the opportunity to use my knowledge, skills and experience to help build our country.
Everywhere I look I see doors closing; I look here on News24 and I read about politicians saying that South Africa needs to work harder at uplifting "previously disadvantaged people". I agree 100%!
But, I don't agree with the "how". As the old saying goes "you cannot strengthen the weak by bringing down the strong". Why can we not rather build every one up rather than trying to throw my, and other people in a similar position, skills away?
I would like an honest answer: do white people have a future in this country? I don't want negative people to answer; in fact I would like the answer to come from a politician.
Do you want my skills, may I help build this country or should I start looking for a new continent to call home?
The letter goes like:
I am a white woman. I started my high school career in the New South Africa. As a child I did not know racism but I did receive a good education.
My education wasn't handed to me – post-1994 opportunities arose for my mom to work her butt off to pay for my education. My education came at the expense of having a working mother who often worked close to 12 hours a day.
I have a learning disability, but am by no means disabled. Getting my education was difficult at times and there were many times that I was at the point of giving up.
Today, I have a degree, seven years of valuable experience, excellent references and most people don't know about my learning disability - because I'm pretty smart but I cannot find a job.
I have a deeply passionate love for our country and cannot think of anything worse than being forced to look for jobs in another country.
I understand Affirmative Action and have worked for a boss who was a product of Affirmative Action and I could not have asked for a better boss.
She was fantastic, worked hard and was always willing to teach me and develop me. I also understand the torn History of our country.
However, as an educated, hardworking South African with valuable skills I find that because of my skin colour I am not being given the opportunity to use my knowledge, skills and experience to help build our country.
Everywhere I look I see doors closing; I look here on News24 and I read about politicians saying that South Africa needs to work harder at uplifting "previously disadvantaged people". I agree 100%!
But, I don't agree with the "how". As the old saying goes "you cannot strengthen the weak by bringing down the strong". Why can we not rather build every one up rather than trying to throw my, and other people in a similar position, skills away?
I would like an honest answer: do white people have a future in this country? I don't want negative people to answer; in fact I would like the answer to come from a politician.
Do you want my skills, may I help build this country or should I start looking for a new continent to call home?
Source - www.news24.com
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