Last night in our Justice and Reconciliation in South Africa Class we focused on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa and the role that it played in making a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy. Reading some stories from Country of My Skull, Dr. Botha told us that she would probably break in tears during the stories. What she said next was most interesting: If you are not crying when hearing these stories, think about why.

Hearing these stories I was horrified, but did not cry. Why? Maybe because I have not experienced such violence. Every day of my life I have lived in peace, not worried about my neighbour or the police watching my back; not worried about becoming a victim in the middle of two violent sides. I only see it on the news on TV - often it seems more like a movie than real life. I understood that my professor, however, felt the pain and wept as she was willingly and unwillingly involved in such violence.

I think it was good to wonder why I did not cry? Would I be able to cry with a white (South African term) farmer who lost his family to a land mine? Would I be able to cry with a black (South African term) woman who's child was killed by security forces? I sure hope I would, but I fear that I have lived in a safe bubble all my life. Can I relate?

Most striking is the responses or reparations asked for by the family members of victims. Most did not respond in anger; many in tears; many in soft voices. The power of forgiveness to overcome the worst evil is humbling and awe inspiring. This, too, does not bring tears of joy to my face.

Here I lay in my bed struggling to determine how I can cry with these people. Here I lay, struggling.

Yeah. Those are some tough issues. And they don't just disappear. It's almost as though the violence hatred and crime is so potent that we don't have the capacity to enter into a world like that.

It's good to hear you are reading Country of My Skull. If you get a chance I would also suggest reading Tsotsi (the book is a lot more powerful than the movie).

Dylon

oh, tsotsi is amazing! we read and watched it as well.

Hey Craig,

Matthew's sis Lynn here.

Don't feel discouraged that you couldn't cry. It's not because it didnt affect you, it was just more of shock. There were many times when I wish I could have cried in the same situations, like when I went to pick up three children whose mother was burried only hours earlier. We react to situations in many different ways. Yes, we are blessed and yes, a lot of are too comfortable. The choice is now yours whether or not you want to live comfortably in your bubble of Ontario. I don't want to live comfortably and thats one of the reasons I travel the world.
Just some thoughts about what you posted. I hope you have a great week.