I grew up in a household where there was an abundance of stereotypes and othering that was seen as typical everyday things. Things such as that house and yard tasks were only for black people, all white Afrikaans men wanted to be farmers and that those with an education were somehow better than others. I grew up with the thought that someone born in the United Kingdom was somehow more advanced or civilised than someone born in South Africa.

 

It is sad that these types of views are projected onto youth that depend on their parents to teach them about the ways of the world.

 

Othering and stereotypes are part of why many people cannot seem to get along. these concepts mean that people come into situations with preconceived notions of what the other "should" do, what they must want or even who they are without even having spoken a single word to one another.

 

Since then I have realised that these views portrayed onto me are most definitely not right. I have learnt to embrace different views as not everyone will always agree. I have made friends who have taught me about some of their cultures and are even trying to teach me some of their languages as I share mine.

 

I even ended up marrying the "typical" afrikaans man who opened up my eyes to the fact that yes it is my dream to be a psychologist just as it is his dream to farm and provide for his family through his hard work, blood, sweat and tears. He has taught me that farming is no easy everyday task and that his way of doing things is something that has been passed down from generation to generation with a tweak here and there. Each generation has passed down knowledge without it being written down anywhere ensuring that the next can provide for those in the future.

 

I am proud of the woman I am today, Although I am by no means perfect a am a person who sees everyone as a whole and not just as a person who fits into a tiny box labelled with what past generations have labelled them as.

 

My daughter knows that there are no such thing as gender or race roles and learning to cook or clean up after yourself are basic life skills. She also knows that just because you may be more privileged than others does not make you better instead if you are able to, share that privilege. 

 

I may not be able to change the world by myself or even in my lifetime, but I will most definitely not be a contributor to the problem. Little by little I help lay part of the foundation that teaches my daughter that we are all human and equals.

Who knows maybe she will change the world some day.

 

Lisa Pienaar

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