I have a friend who suggested that he call himself a 'Euro-African'. I quite like the idea. If black people in America are African Americans, maybe white people in SA should be Euro-Africans. To me, it sounds better than 'white'.
I still prefer to get away from race, but if Black Consciousness insists on dividing us by race, then perhaps we need to establish a Euro-African identity.
I wonder if the term has negative connotations that haven't ocurred to me?
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- Jenny Hillebrand
- In 2018, I am an ordained Methodist minister working at Parow Methodist Church and Norwood (Elsies River) Methodist Church in Cape Town. Previously I have been at: 2009 - Shaw Memorial Methodist Church in Grahamstown 2010-2011 Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary 2012-2013 - Mitchells Plain Methodist Churches I have Border Collies who are learning to do Agility.
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5 comments:
But Euro-African seems to connote "European", in the sense of "from Europe", while that cannot be said of some except in a more distant way. As an example, we have had "European" Argentinians, Australians, Russians, Mauritians in our Church. I have called myself "European stock" when there's been any need for that kind of designation.
Hi Jenny
I'm beginning to get confused by all these labels. For instance, I was born in England, and Belinda was born in SA - does that make James a true Euro-African (or Afro-European since he was born in Africa)?
Ultimately, aren't all these labels simply dsignations of tribalism (or - dare I say it - racism)?
Regards,
Steven (European-by-birth, African-by-choice, Christian-by-grace)
Hi Thomas - yes that's a good point. Perhaps it could be extended to Russian African and Argentinian African (or American African!) and so on. I think that would be an interesting addition to the idea. And takes it away from the 'white' box a bit.
Hi Steven - yes there's lots wrong with this, but it's work in progress. I foresee two possible futures (broadly) for South Africa and the MCSA. The one is that post-colonialism holds sway. This retains racial thinking and black consciousness. If I want to be part of it I need to develop an identity based on the colour of my skin, because I will have no other choice.
The other future is one that is based on multiracialism - where we look to a common future built on a diverse heritage and where race plays no significant part. I prefer the second option.
Whatever, I don't get to choose. I may be able to impact the MCSA, but the country will go its own way. I must adapt.
Sorry, I'm not making sense when I say there's lots wrong with the simple idea I offered. The problem is with my thinking on the subject as a whole, which is very much work in progress!
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