Archetypes of racism

Mugabe, ET, and Malema. These men have dominated these pages and the local media spotlight over the last week. They are politically divisive, as were the articles about them on the The Blind View last week. But what do they have in common? And why do they capture our imagination so?

Mugabe, ET, and Malema are archetypes of racists. Mugabe and ET can be called vintage racists: trespassing best describes their world view of the much feared, other race. Defending their farm, society, and country from illegitimate occupiers is the creed both of them have preached and practised.

But Malema is a new generation of archetype. At times, he is labelled a traditional, trespassing racist, for instance when he talks of nationalising the mines, but, in fact, he represents something altogether new and exciting.

Malema embodies society's worst fears of the perversion of the aspirations of black youth. At its root is inequality: the bitter injustice of deprivation neighbouring affluence. Even the poorest black, urban South Africans grow up in full sight of the spender of consumerism. The hunger in their bellies is not for food, but for social status conferred by boastful brands, cars, and homes.

The stark discord of shacks and low cost housing in the shadows of the massive international premium-brand whisky billboards in Soweto, is a perfect example of this explosive combination of volatile elements: deprivation and aspiration. In Malema, it is not fear of the other race which drives him, but the subtle and destabilising transformation of aspiration into a sense of entitlement.

Thus, not only is there a dangerous inequality of living standards in this country, there is an even more dangerous inequality of the reality of poverty and the sense of entitlement in the minds of many young, black South Africans. Of course this can be positive such as in those who are driven to succeed in a conventional and admirable fashion, and against the odds rise through hard work in education, business, or politics. But too often the frustration and desire is too great. If inequality is the fire that drives Malema's brash politics, then he may be commended as a role model of restraint. Many find themselves driven to far worse lengths: theft, drugs, rape, and murder.

The media obsession with these racist archetypes reflects the continuous struggle in South Africa for a common identity. Establishing extremes through archetypes is the first step towards understanding our own position. Discussing the middle ground is still difficult and dangerous. It is far easier to know you are not a racist boer like Terre'blanche, or a firebrand revolutionary like Malema. To find your position between the two, still remains a challenge.

"Even today, we are still accused of racism. This is a mistake... whites must be made to realize that they are only human, not superior. Same with blacks."

- Steve Bantu Biko, 1977, as quoted in the Boston Globe.