The First Five Years • Crossing The Line • Curtain Call

Sheila M. Whitley is an assis-
tant professor and coordina-
tor of broadcast production in
the department of journalism
and mass communication at
N.C. A&T. Other perspectives
on the South Africa trip will
be featured in a future edition
of A&T Today.
32
A&T TODAY
Fall 2004
Mixed Bag
The Epiphany of a White American
Traveling to Black South Africa
By Sheila M. Whitley, Ph.D.
On May 9, I boarded a plane with three North Carolina A&T State University colleagues
and eight of our students for the trip of a lifetime. We were traveling to South
Africa to join two faculty members from the department of visual and performing arts.
As the only white woman on the trip, I had many trepidations. Recalling South Africa’s
recent history, the minority white population subjugated the majority black population
for decades. Could their history be a problem for me and jeopardize my safety?
Surely, this country still had fresh wounds and memories from the Apartheid era.
Prophetically, we arrived in Johannesburg on May 10, the 10 th anniversary of the end
of Apartheid. I soon discovered the black South Africans embrace their struggle and
history and don’t allow it to anchor them in bitterness. They are using their struggle to
soar them to higher levels.
I asked many black South Africans if they were bitter or hostile. I always got a similar
answer, “No, that was then. Now, we all are free and must unite so we can move forward.”
This attitude spread throughout South Africa on the wave of Nelson Mandela’s
inspired vision for a free and united South Africa. Mandela wants a South Africa that
is home to ALL who are called South Africans – regardless of race.
I am amazed that a country 10 years into democracy has healed so much and the
progress it’s made in race relations. I was in South Africa for only 11 days, so I know I
didn’t see the racism that surely exists. I did see a country working very hard to move
forward and heal.
In our country, the Civil Rights Movement happened 40 some years ago. After my trip,
I realize how much it hurts for me to see more wounds, scars, bitterness and hostilities
in my homeland than in South Africa. We’ve had three more decades to heal and unite.
South Africa was more beautiful than I imagined. I am grateful I had the opportunity
to visit the country.
After witnessing a country with a heart and desire to achieve freedom, equality and
unity for all her children, I long to see the same thing in my homeland – the United
States of America. I think it is time for OUR country to unify and heal. In addition to
our cries, we need our leaders to proclaim these United States of America a free, equal
and united home to ALL who call themselves citizens of this country.