Sunday 10 June 2007- Day Nine

Today we took a group trip to Soweto and the Apartheid Museum. The museum was really comprehensive, I wish we had more than two hours to explore the museum. The architecture of the building was fascinating it was modern and both luxurious and barren at the same time. The landscaping of the museum also provided amazing views of Soweto.

The township of Soweto was not what I was expecting. The social stratification was very interesting to me. The Huchzermeyer article highlighted to repercussions of the economic differences between inhabitants in the townships but I never figured that the property values would range from upper middle class houses to shacks. It did seem that the differing socio-economic groups had very different interest and priorities for their lives. I was also struck by the prevalence of fences in the more affluent areas. I am reminded of Caldera’s book and her concept of fences as neighbors. It seems as soon as the family has acquired a certain level a fence becomes a major purchase; almost as if the presence of the fence is a status symbol. Everywhere in this city are walls and barriers to the interaction of people. I think this is contributing to my feeling of confinement. Additionally, Joburg seems to demonstrate another concept in Caldera’s book. The distinction on entrances for separate people is very prevalent here. Certain people can enter by way of the front door and others through the service entrance.

Living in Berea has been an interesting experience for me. I feel somewhat unsafe in the neighborhood due in large part to my race and gender. I imagine it is the way that others feel in certain neighborhoods in the United States. It is also interesting to me that sometimes my race is a benefit and sometimes a hindrance. The daily back and forth causes a sort of fish-out-of-water experience. Never have I been so consistently reminded of what I am.