While the furor over racism at the rugby match seems to have died down, there were some comments in today's Cape Times, responding to Archbishop Desmond Tutu's enthusiastic support for "braai" (that's BBQ to us Americans) being chosen as the theme for this year's National Heritage Day September 24). Here are a couple of letters to the editor from today's Cape Times.
"I am deeply saddened and offended by Archbishop Desmon Tutu's words, as a man of God and of peace, regarding natioanl heritage day, as are thousands of other non-meat eaters. We are encouraged to embrace those who have sinned against us in the form of apartheid, theft, rape, and murder, and yet pacifist vegetarians and vegans are made to feel like pariahs, for living a life that does not include killing in a country that is rife with violence! We all enjoy a braai. I can testify to the fact that tofu, brinjal, and mushrooms on the braai, along with corn, are fantastic and i have extended a personal invitation to Archbishop Tutu to enjoy a non-meat braai at his convenience. One doesn't need to have the equivalent of a funeral pyre in order to enjoy a celebration."
And, here's another:
"It is a great idea to encourage South Africans to braai on Heritage Day, to celebrate their "SouthAfricanness." What a pity, however, that the bulk of the population ("the lumpen proletariat") will not be able to afford the meat! Bon appetit to those who can."
Clearly, a few hurdles to overcome before the nation can all gather around the braii-pit in celebration of a common heritage...
Blog ya later.
Seth./.
Dance in Praise of Naomi
About Me
- Seth./.
- I am a professor of Service Learning at California State University, Monterey Bay. For one year, beginning July 2008, I will be a Fulbright Scholar, working at two South African Universities: The Univerity of the Western Cape (UWC), and The University of Cape Town (UCT).