An essay "Literacy Analysis: Mark Mathabane’s “Kaffir Boy" attempts to prove, through an analysis of “Kaffir Boy” that through positive or negative instances and actions, the person and the society can ultimately influence each other towards betterment and progress Kaffir Boy essay. Kv Reddy. KAFFIR BOY A person’s environment and surroundings are factors that shape their identity. During apartheid, many identities were formed and shaped overtime. In Mark Mathabane’s book, Kaffir Boy, he portrays the dissimilar identities of blacks and whites in South Africa under the difficulties of apartheid. White South Africans had opportunities to live 23/3/ · Kaffir Boy Essay Kaffir Boy Webster dictionary defines racism as “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits an capacities and that racial differences produce and inherent superiority of a particular race”. Racism has run rampant throughout the world for a very long time, and still lingers very strongly today. The racist ideologies “claim that biological
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Racial Discrimination, has already been a long term phenomenon, in existent in almost all societies in different eras and civilization.
The idea of discrimination is inevitable. Considering that such discrimination creates social structure as regards what is expected of everybody in a society and kaffir boy essay is due to them. However, sometimes this social structure is abused, beyond its limit. People who belong to a higher status quo would definitely do whatever it takes to keep it. To illustrate, colonizers who had way better technology, combat powers and knowledge as compared to areas being colonized, would come to kaffir boy essay new conquests are superiors.
They would then take the locals as slaves and ravish on the wealth that they have to offer. In their own place, these locals become discriminated and unwanted. In return, locals would do whatever it takes to associate themselves with the colonizers, by looking like them, being friends with them, working for them, or marrying people kaffir boy essay their kind. And it always seems that it is the right thing to do.
When the British came to South Africa, kaffir boy essay, this is exactly what happened. While most of his relatives act as freedom fighters, he came to America to educate himself and to excel in a sport he loves.
His success has given so much inspiration. His story as depicted in his book will take us with him as he reveals the horrors of his past. Mark Mathabane lived in a country, wherein racial divide, for most of its early years seemed to be the only thing that defines them. South Africa, kaffir boy essay, a country nestled in the continent of Africa, was once invaded by white colonizers too. And they have proven that they came there to stay. In a country such as South Africa, a nation so unique as compared to other nations in the African continent.
South Africa can be considered as diverse in a special way, because it is the only African country that has Caucasians as locals. Originally dominated by black Americans, South Africa is now a melting pot of two cultures. Analysis It had kaffir boy essay occurred to me that though the two were different as night and day, as separate as east and -west, they had everything to do with each other; that one could not be without the other 94 This statement from Johannes best explains the struggles of Mathabane.
In summary it explains how the two dominant races in South Africa has tried to isolate each group against each other, kaffir boy essay, by means of creating physical division such as creating boundaries and naming certain places as black or white territory. Whites are in a way regarded more superior because they are more literate as well. The government also used formal means to strengthen the divide by creating laws such as prohibiting mix marriages, and creating policies in the education system that seems to favor a specific race.
Overall, it was almost the generally accepted norm, kaffir boy essay, to- categorize, discriminate. Mark Mathabane lives in the town of Alexandra during industrial colonialism period with his parents, five sisters and a brother. He talks about how he experienced brutality and starvation from the Peri Urban, an Apartheid police group in South Africa.
Growing up very poor, he dreamt of having a better life for him and his family. He often questioned the prejudices happening around him and has decided to take the course of his destiny in his own hands. As a young boy, he struggled with his identity.
He wonders which religion he should practice, which country or class he should belong. Believing that religion, specifically Christianity was kaffir boy essay wrongfully by different groups and races, he eventually rejected it. Mathabane also recalled how apartheid made use of tribalism as form of torture against Africans. He kaffir boy essay that his father, kaffir boy essay, allowed himself to be controlled by superstitions, Relatively mature for his age, he reiterates his independence by doing what he pleases with his life.
For him, submitting to any specific belief or religion is synonymous with compromising his free will. Mathabane eventually decided that literacy was a necessary element in the liberation struggle. He then realizes that kaffir boy essay needs to make important decisions in order to make his dreams come true.
Thinking that South Africa has nothing much to offer, at least for kaffir boy essay poor black African boy like him, he decided to try his luck with American Universities, kaffir boy essay. As he begins to plot his future, his tennis abilities begin to progress kaffir boy essay and better.
Being an avid fan of Arthur Ashe, he takes his wins and losses as if his own. From black state competitions, he started joining the more prestigious white state competitions. His participation in white state competitions led to his banning from joining black state competitions. At this point, he feels as if his progress in his craft takes him away from the things he loved the most.
Luckily, Mark later on leaves kaffir boy essay the United States as a university scholar, through the help of a famous American tennis player and other white donors. This goes to show that despite of all the successes, the author looks back in his roots.
But his absence in his country makes him reaffirm his identity, and gives him the opportunity, to finally appreciate what his past has to offer for his present and for his future. This book tells a very dark story filled with pain, kaffir boy essay, sadness and loneliness on most of its chapters, but it also provides a strong foundation for the readers to further understand the plight of the narrator.
The journey he took was not only of hope, but rather, a journey of rediscovery. How can the illiterate function, he wondered, in a world ruled by signs ? Upon witnessing the library burn down he inquired for enlightenment from one of his peers, who mentioned that the burning is for the destruction of all the traces kaffir boy essay white oppression in the Bantu Education system.
The struggles in his youth, leads him to think that literacy is the key to success. by learning English, he will be given better opportunities, kaffir boy essay, the same as the whites. According to the author, literacy has given the whites so much edge and power over the black Africans.
Having an education will somehow even out the playing field. Literacy for Mathabane is so important, that for him this will eventually lead them to be liberated from all their struggles.
In the end, we really have no control over our government, over kaffir boy essay people around us, and over norms and traditions we grew up with, kaffir boy essay.
But we do have full control over our perspective, our feelings and destiny. And this is precisely what Mathabane did. He took charge of his own future. This book inspires me to examine the choices I have made as a young person, at the same time, it makes me wonder whether the previous steps I have taken in life will take me closer to my aspirations or take me farther.
But then, it makes me think deeper not just about my ambitions, but what I really want to contribute to my society in the end, kaffir boy essay. This book serves as a wake up call.
In a society wherein we are given so much opportunity, it seems as if we are left with no excuses not to excel. Accessed May 19, Download paper. Essay, Pages 7 words. Top Writers. Verified expert. Related Essays. If I Were a Boy Music Video Review Pages: 3 words Analysis of Books Beautiful Boy and Tweak Pages: 4 words Boy by Taika Waitit Pages: 4 words My summary of the novel Mine Boy Pages: 4 words Text response essay on This Boy's Life Pages: 3 words The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas Pages: 3 words Marcus?
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, time: 5:54Mark Mathabane’s Kaffir Boy Free Essay Example
10/11/ · Essay Sample: Racial Discrimination, has already been a long term phenomenon, in existent in almost all societies in different eras and civilization. The idea of +1 () Free essays. Essay topics and ideas; Tools. Plagiarism checker; Thesis statement generator; About us; Hire Writer. Mark Mathabane’s Kaffir Boy. Categories: Boy Discrimination Literacy Estimated Reading Time: 8 mins Essays Related to Kaffir Boy. 1. Kaffir Boy. In his autobiography, Kaffir Boy, Mark Mathabane demonstrates the hardships of growing up in the black ghetto of Alexandra in South Africa during the s and s. The word kaffir comes from Arabic origin and means "infidel". Members of the African Bantu-speaking peoples were often called "kaffirs". Kaffir Boy can Kaffir Boy Essay example Words | 5 Pages. OF JOHANNESBURG, The above message can be found written on larger-than-life signs staked on every road leading to Alexandra"(Mathabane, 3). The above quote is the first statement of the book just to give a taste of what is to come. Throughout Mark Mathabane's life he lived in what we in the United States
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