Learning about race and privilege from "summary" of Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Growing up as a mixed-race child in apartheid South Africa, I was constantly made aware of the differences in race and privilege. I learned at a young age that my skin color and the color of my mother's skin determined how we were treated in society. The government classified us as black, even though my mother was technically colored. This classification meant that we were subject to the same discrimination and restrictions as other black people.
I quickly realized that race was not just a social construct in South Africa, but a matter of life and death. The privileges afforded to white people were denied to people of color like me and my family. We were forced to navigate a society that was designed to keep us oppressed and marginalized, simply because of the color of our skin.
As I grew older, I began to understand the complexities of race and privilege in a deeper way. I saw how white people were able to move through the world with a sense of ease and entitlement that was denied to people of color. I witnessed firsthand the disparities in opportunities, resources, and treatment that existed between different racial groups.
Despite the challenges I faced as a mixed-race person in apartheid South Africa, I also recognized the privilege I held as a male. I saw how gender intersected with race to create unique experiences and challenges for different individuals. This intersectionality forced me to confront my own biases and assumptions about race, gender, and privilege.
Through my experiences and observations, I learned that race and privilege are not just abstract concepts, but powerful forces that shape our lives in profound ways. I realized that in order to create a more just and equitable society, we must confront and dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate inequality based on race and privilege. Only then can we truly achieve freedom and equality for all.
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