Towards Justice

Research begins!

 

In a single back room of a meager house in the Kwa-Thema township, picture-plastered walls illustrate a safe place. I was honored to spend yesterday morning with the Ekurhuleni Pride Organizing Committee(EPOC).  

This small but mighty grassroots organization has waged a personal war on homophobia and corrective rape—a loathsome phenomenon where homosexuals are raped and often murdered to “cure” them of their sexual orientation.

(See EPOC’s May feature in the New Yorker.)  

Although South Africa’s constitution was the first in the world to explicitly forbid discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, the nation continues to brutally illuminate that policy and implementation are two entirely different animals.   

Yet, bit by bit--and fighting every step of the way--this tenacious organization is molding societal norms of hate that perpetuate disempowerment, injustice, and violence into those of acceptance.

Ntsupe Mohapi, Simon, and co!--EPOC's leaders 

Today we visited Khulumani,an organization dedicated to transforming Apartheid victims into victors.

(For terribly simplified context: the nation instituted the Truth and Reconciliation process to unearth the realities of Apartheid crimes though personal testimony of victims and perpetrators. While thousands of victims failed to receive reparations during T&R, the government is eager to close this painful chapter of its past.) 

Two amazing Khulumani survivors stressed the power of speaking out--both for personal healing and lighting a fire under a complacent government. 

What moved me was the penetrating kindness that accompanied such valuable insight.  These women speak with a conviction that leads an audience to believe they have the answers to all of the world's injustices.  

The world may be a better place if it listened. 

 

With Nomarussia Bomase, an Apartheid survivor

On an infinitely lighter note—our traditional South African meal at Gramadoelas  was outstanding! Apparently, the place is famous. To qualify the photo, that’s saffron rice, fish casserole, pumpkin, green beans, corn bread, and bobotie, which wins the prize!  It's minced meat baked with an egg topping. Tonight I also had Oxtail soup for dinner. 

Yum! :)

  

In the coming days, I'm looking forward to meetings with HIV/AIDS organizations that are intimately tied to my research on South Africa's response effort. Thus far, meetings have only briefly touched on the topic, but I'm learning oh so much!

Talk soon!

Love from Johannesburg.