Yet more proof race is a social construct

[Pirate turtle the 11th]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7461099.stm


( i did not know were to put this)

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

I'd say discrimination forum

[Pirate turtle the 11th]

Cool could a mod please move it there

[Mujer Libre]

Moved.

This is one of those weird things. During apartheid Chinese South Africans (not that there were very many) were classed as Black, while Japanese people were classed as white, because they were perceived as useful to the economy.

Also, during apartheid there were instances of mixed race people being black one day, and white the next.

The affirmative action system in South Africa is quite warped in some ways as well, because it seems to benefit those people of colour who are already relatively well off. I come from a large family, and have lots of cousins, and it's the ones who have postgrad degrees from the best universities who are doing better off under these laws, rather than those who are in trades and such. I guess that's the problem with trying to right the wrongs of apartheid under capitalism- even good ideas get twisted.

[Neutrino]

Well, it's a just political expedient. I don't see the point of this thread, tbh. The notion that the Chinese are "black" is laughable.

[Mujer Libre]

I think considering the way Chinese people were treated under apartheid, a political definition of them as being "black" actually does make sense. (based on the Black Power definition of the word)

However my criticisms are more related to the way the affirmative action program is being run in South Africa- effectively supporting Black capitalists rather than the poor and disenfranchised.