Blog social anthropology

Crystal- Leigh Schaper 50294636

Title: Exploring Essentialism and Stereotypes regarding white ethnic groups.

Introduction:

Stereotypes and essentialism are seen as societal constructs that often oversimplify and misinterpret diverse groups. If one looks at a white ethnic community you need to approach the topic with experience to acknowledge the individuality and diversity within the group.

I will be discussing essentialism and stereotypes of my ethnic group through a text I was fortunate enough to study in high school.  Mis by Reza de Wet.

The reason why I chose the text for discussion precisely because it represents the typical white ethnic group through one main theme, Afrikaner Calvinism. Yes, there is stereotyping involved, but from my own experience, the points are wrong. Reza de Wet reveals to us things that I have experienced myself. for example, we as South Africans are very likely to expect the worst situation. Apart from that, we as South Africans of the old guard put our eyes up against a new generation or in other words change and this is reflected by the circus and its absurd tricks and people. The typical South African will feel uncomfortable for things like those that exceed the boundaries or values of society.

The way I have dealt with stereotypes and essentialism through the years is by encouraging open conversations and new ways of life that caused conservatism in the society to evolve and to take the eye slaps off that they were used to and to form my own way of life not one that was scripted for me.   

In conclusion:

Essentialism and Stereotypes within a white ethnic group is as Reza de Wet would say "Seen more broadly, the theme of Afrikaner Calvinism implies how the Afrikaner strives to free himself or herself from the suffocating Afrikaner Calvinism ( the exaggerated conscience - the dos and don'ts- that the Afrikaner churches hung around the necks of South Africans; a guilt complex which most of us still walk around with today.)