Im no racist but all mandela did for my.family mwmbers living there is turn the.tables so now it is racist toward whites.....why the hell can we just be civilised in these countries and say black white whatever doesnt matter...humans we all are so in the end it should be sobut it isnt.

MaDtotheMoM wrote: Im no racist but all mandela did for my.family mwmbers living there is turn the.tables so now it is racist toward whites.....why the hell can we just be civilised in these countries and say black white whatever doesnt matter...humans we all are so in the end it should be sobut it isnt.

May be the question is are we really civilised as human beings ?
There are wars all around the world. In Europe two in Bosnia, then Kosovo. Mass murders 1 hour plane from Paris.
Now when western countries send our soldiers in foreign country we cannot trust really if it is for democracy, petrol or uranium.
Tomorrow this will be just for water.
If we can access to this forum it is probably because we are from a country without war on its ground,
The voice of all the others are shut.
I know you are not racist.

Antknee, one of the saddest by-products of these shifts in circumstances is that often many good people get hurt on all sides.

There were "good" Southerners who wanted nothing to do with slavery or secession. There were good Germans who wanted nothing to do with Hitler or Naziism. There were good Brits who felt India deserved self-determination. In most cases, the backlash against the horrors endured by African-Americans, Jews and others persecuted by Nazi Germany, and Indians seeking self-governance was often indiscriminate, often targeted the good and the bad. I am sure this has happened in South Africa as well.

There is no justification for this. We might try to understand it, but that rarely helps those wrongly targeted in the backlash. And it doesn't help that these circumstances don't correct themselves overnight. If you don't believe that, consider that our debate of many of these issues still continues in the USA.

I do hope that South Africa is able to continue on the path of a democratic system that belongs to all its citizens. And, you have my sincere hope that both black and white can get past the experience of apartheid and learn to get along. And no, I don't think you're a racist simply because you have a different perspective than mine. Remember, I am not South African...I'm an American...we have our own crap to deal with!!!

As always bernard, you are a gentleman and a scholar, you worded it how I would have but unfortunately I had a little red mist due to my own heated personal feelings on the matter. If I offended anyone im so sorry. Obviously I respect all opinions and I kinda let it get to me....sorry guys.

MaDtotheMoM wrote: As always bernard, you are a gentleman and a scholar, you worded it how I would have but unfortunately I had a little red mist due to my own heated personal feelings on the matter. If I offended anyone im so sorry. Obviously I respect all opinions and I kinda let it get to me....sorry guys.

No offense and no need apologies.

It is hard to share a worldwide symbol when having family in the place and being worried for.

It is courageous too to talk different and without racism as you did in that special moment.