We are not attacked for “our basic existence”. We’re rightfully held accountable for the immense damage caused by every single ome of our family members who let apartheid be, for which we have collectively made no meaningful reparations whatsoever.

What apologies? https://twitter.com/chanell_sa/status/1295346225672343553

What has our community done that we haven’t been forced to do?

Racism touted by popular Afrikaners goes unchecked by leaders in our community. Our churches remain all white. Our schools resist dual-language teaching.

There are no discussions about the racism in each of us, among us. There is no revision of the history we teach post-1994 propaganda revelations.

The discussions are being forced by people of colour. We don’t know our own history beyond the ‘proud’ and incredibly superficial nationalist Voortrekker story we’re all fed as children.

And while we’re here.

When “conservative” is used as an excuse for racism, sexism and prejudice, it is rightfully criticized.

And until we have the conversations that need to be had, and make some drastic changes, and show young Afrikaans kids they don’t have to be like their Ooms and Tannies, then my surname and all of the other De’s and Du’s and will continue to justifiably be connected to racism.

Because what the hell have we ever done as a community to take responsibility for racism, and the hundreds of thousands of people who will never in their lifetime see a world where being treated like a human being first and foremost is just a given. Never. And that’s on us.