Apartheid was a highly colonial system. Its main issue was not so much the segregation of races – as the name suggests –, but rather the severe inequality that came with racial classification and segregation. Because Whites believed themselves to be superior to people of colour, they reserved for themselves rights and privileges which were not granted to members of other racial groups. Consequently, the life of Blacks (Africans, Coloureds, and Indians) was marked with restrictions, prohibitions, and ill-treatment.
Recognizing Apartheid as a form of colonialism, this paper espouses the argument that its legacy is not only one of physical or economic sequelae, but also one of psychological damage on the former oppressed. It attempts to prove that any form of ill-treatment leaves some sort of psychological impact on the person concerned, which then leads to a change in behaviour as an outward expression of his or her changed inner state. For this purpose, this paper will start out by giving a short introduction to the psychology of oppression. Next, it will look at the formation of the white South African mind-set during Apartheid, as the foundation and cause of oppression, leading up to the main subject of this paper. Finally, chapter three will deal with the kind of treatment black South Africans experienced under the rule of the National Party and what psychological research has found out about the possible affects of such treatment.
Since most of the research done on Black psychology and the psychology of oppression stems from overseas countries such as the USA, the literature used in this paper has a wide range. Nevertheless, it was endeavoured to continuously link the existing research to the South African context and situation.
A recent newspaper article on the importance of teaching struggle history at schools and a critical discussion on interracial marriages in modern South Africa first triggered my interest in studying the mind-set of white South Africans during Apartheid. This eventually lead me to my research question with the aim of wanting to find out more about the psychological impact this kind of mind-set had on the country’s oppressed population.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- I The Psychology of Oppression
- II Apartheid and the Colonial Superiority Complex
- III The Consequential Treatment of Blacks and Its Psychological Sequelae
- a. Verbal and Physical Abuse
- b. Deprivation of Rights
- c. Bantu Education
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the psychological impact of apartheid on Black South Africans, arguing that its legacy extends beyond economic and physical consequences to encompass significant psychological damage. The study aims to demonstrate that ill-treatment inherently leads to psychological impacts and behavioral changes. It achieves this by first introducing the psychology of oppression, then analyzing the development of the white South African mindset during apartheid, and finally, exploring the treatment of Black South Africans and its psychological effects as revealed by research.
- The psychology of oppression and its manifestations.
- The colonial roots of the white South African superiority complex during apartheid.
- The various forms of ill-treatment experienced by Black South Africans under apartheid.
- The psychological consequences of apartheid on the Black South African population.
- The connection between the white South African mindset and the oppression of Black South Africans.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by defining apartheid not merely as racial segregation but as a system of severe inequality stemming from a white superiority complex. It establishes the central argument that apartheid's legacy includes profound psychological damage to Black South Africans, a consequence of systemic ill-treatment. The chapter outlines the paper's structure, previewing its exploration of the psychology of oppression, the development of the white supremacist mindset, and the specific forms of oppression experienced by Black South Africans and their psychological repercussions. The author also briefly touches upon the methodology, noting the reliance on a wide range of international research with an effort to connect it to the South African context.
I The Psychology of Oppression: This chapter delves into the psychological mechanisms of oppression, citing research indicating a tendency among oppressed groups to assimilate to the oppressor while simultaneously devaluing their own heritage. Examples given include the hair straightening practices of many Black South African women and the attempt to shed Black accents to conform to Western beauty standards and perceptions of intelligence. The chapter links this behavior to the psychology of oppression, highlighting the impact of racist ideologies that instill feelings of inferiority. It also discusses the significant contributions of W.E.B. Du Bois and Frantz Fanon to the understanding of the psychological consequences of colonialism and oppression, emphasizing the applicability of their theories to the apartheid context. The chapter connects these broad theories to concrete examples, strengthening its argument about the damaging effects of internalized oppression.
II Apartheid and the Colonial Superiority Complex: This chapter explores the historical roots of the white South African superiority complex, tracing it back to the inception of colonialism. It argues that colonialism is not just territorial domination but also entails economic exploitation, cultural destruction, and the dehumanization of the colonized population. The chapter positions the apartheid regime within this broader historical context, highlighting how the belief in white superiority, justified initially by ethnocentrism and later by Social Darwinism, facilitated the systemic oppression of Black South Africans. It emphasizes the long-standing nature of these attitudes and their role in shaping the discriminatory policies and practices of the apartheid era. The pervasive impact of colonial thinking on the mindset of white South Africans is illustrated as a crucial element in understanding the motivations behind Apartheid.
Keywords
Apartheid, psychology of oppression, colonialism, racial inequality, white supremacy, Black South Africans, psychological trauma, self-esteem, internalized oppression, dehumanization, identity, colonial legacy, racial stereotypes.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This academic paper examines the psychological impact of apartheid on Black South Africans. It argues that apartheid's legacy extends beyond economic and physical consequences to encompass significant psychological damage resulting from systemic ill-treatment.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the psychology of oppression, the colonial roots of the white South African superiority complex, various forms of ill-treatment experienced by Black South Africans under apartheid, the psychological consequences of apartheid, and the connection between the white South African mindset and the oppression of Black South Africans.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into an introduction, three main chapters, and a conclusion (implied). The introduction sets the stage, Chapter I delves into the psychology of oppression, Chapter II explores the colonial roots of the white South African superiority complex and its role in apartheid, and Chapter III (implied) details the treatment of Black South Africans and its psychological effects.
What methodologies are used in this paper?
The paper relies on a wide range of international research, connecting it to the South African context to analyze the psychological impact of apartheid. The approach seems to be primarily a literature review and analysis of existing research on oppression and its psychological consequences, applied specifically to the case of apartheid in South Africa.
What are some key examples used to illustrate the psychology of oppression?
The paper uses examples such as hair straightening practices among Black South African women and attempts to shed Black accents to conform to Western beauty standards and perceptions of intelligence to illustrate the assimilation to the oppressor and devaluation of one's own heritage.
How does the paper connect apartheid to colonialism?
The paper connects apartheid to colonialism by arguing that colonialism, involving economic exploitation, cultural destruction, and dehumanization, created the foundation for the white South African superiority complex that fueled the apartheid regime. The belief in white superiority, initially justified by ethnocentrism and later Social Darwinism, is presented as a key factor facilitating the systemic oppression.
What are the main psychological consequences of apartheid discussed in the paper?
The paper discusses the psychological trauma, damage to self-esteem, internalized oppression, dehumanization, and identity issues experienced by Black South Africans as a consequence of apartheid. It highlights the lasting impact of systemic ill-treatment on their mental well-being.
What are the key contributions of W.E.B. Du Bois and Frantz Fanon to the paper's arguments?
The paper draws upon the theories of W.E.B. Du Bois and Frantz Fanon regarding the psychological consequences of colonialism and oppression, applying their insights to the specific context of apartheid in South Africa to strengthen its analysis of the damaging effects of internalized oppression.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords include: Apartheid, psychology of oppression, colonialism, racial inequality, white supremacy, Black South Africans, psychological trauma, self-esteem, internalized oppression, dehumanization, identity, colonial legacy, and racial stereotypes.
- Quote paper
- Susanna Harper (Author), 2012, The Psychological Impacts of Apartheid on Black South Africans, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/264561
