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| Jessica, Molly, Vernon, Bernie Emily L, Julia, Maria Taylor L, Taylor P, Sam, Christina, John, Emily E, Onna, Dani, Caitlin, Jill, Ashlyn, Becca |
Our excursion showed me how horrid humanity can be on
this Earth, while beauty can exist within that will bring us together. I have
to say, going to Johannesburg to visit museums in particular stirred a lot of
mixed emotions--mostly sad ones. The Apartheid Museum was more than I expected.
It gave a good overview of the history of the country and what is it possible
for the future. At one part of the museum we came across a hall of nooses that
were dangling from the ceiling. They weren’t the typical noose; it consisted of
two loops instead of one. We were told that second loop would ensure the person
suffocated if their neck did not break. This was not the only one time I
struggled to hold back tears. Constitution Hill exhibited the horrors of prison
life amongst men classified as Black, Colored and Indian. One of the things we were
told about the prison was that the prison was not meant to rehabilitate, it was
meant to punish. That statement in itself sums up the treatment they received.
The Hector Peterson Museum was not a guided tour, but the videos and written
testimonies about his death and the Soweto Uprising spoke for themselves. It is
beyond unfortunate that these youths died for believing in a future of equality
and peace. By the time we visited Sharpeville; I couldn’t help but be disgusted
by what humanity is capable of. As I stood by the graves of 69 individuals who
died during the massacre of 1960, I was angry about those who died during the
struggle had a lasting impact on those they left behind. I’ve learned so many
dark histories of many countries--they are all different but strangely similar.
Humanity can be calculative and cruel; but, it is easily balanced by those who
do right and learn from our past. Our internships have definitely shown that
side and it’s a good reminder what’s in store for the future.
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| Emily (center) listens to tour guide Alice at Sharpeville. |
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