Race is a sensitive topic for South Africans and here at Rhodes University we have always been seen as one of the most alternative institutions in our country. Although this is true, maybe we aren’t as alternative as we think or perhaps we are.
Racial diversity is a complicated and multidimensional phenomenon and when walking around campus, one can’t help but notice that in some weird way students automatically form their own
racial clique’s.
In speaking with three different students, Nirvania Moodley who has an all Indian friendship circle, David Berry who prefers his fellow white males and Vicky Johnson who has a very culturally varied social group, the idea of “it happened by chance” is key however, it’s not as deep as one thinks the reasoning actually is, rather it quite simple. It comes down to one’s background, upbringing and interests.
“I sit with a group of all Indian girls, because all of us come from a similar background” says Moodley. “We all come from Durban and were brought up in similar ways. It’s easier to go through life with people who have the same understandings” she continued. Berry felt the same “In a far more liberal South Africa, race and discrimination is something of the past, for today’s generation the division isn’t that of not wanting to associate with another race, but rather, that of interests”.
For Johnson, she never made friends with people based on colour, considering she lives with a coloured girl. She had never been around racist people growing up and so race was never an issue for her when making friends. “I have always had friends of various racial groups” she stated enthusiastically. “One can learn so many different and new things from the various culture’s, our conversation is never boring and always so interesting as one can always learn new things” she added.
Moodley, went to a private school for her primary school days where she said that majority of her friends where white however, for high school she went to a government school, where 99% of her friends were Indian. She feels that this has influenced her choice in friends at university the most as she feels she fits in best around Indians rather than other racial groups as she doesn’t really know much else.
Moodley however feels that this social distinction has however been disempowering. “When I need to interact with other students of another race, I find it extremely hard. It’s hard to always have to try, instead of it being a natural tendency”.
However, Berry was the opposite. Although he has one specific racial ground found within his friendship circle. He finds it easy to speak to anyone. “At the end of the day, a person is a person. I do often find myself limited in understanding various culture’s however one can always learn as today’s generation is open minded.”
The three were also very open to the fact that there friendships will change over time. “the country is changing and I am changing and through this, so will my friends” says Berry “The space I will next encounter will ultimately decide on my next group of friends, and if they Black, Coloured or Chinese, it makes no difference”.
Apartheid has ended and race is no longer an issue for our generation. It’s very easy really it all comes down to what you’re into and whoever else is into the same thing.
