Inside the Cape

It is mindblowing that we are in South Africa. Cape Town is such an unusual, but familiar place. As we toured the town, many of our fellow volunteers mentioned how certain sections reminded them of cities from New Orleans to Malibu. Last night, we ate at a Caribbean restaurant that reminded me of my students back home. I've enjoyed most of the South African food that I've tasted. Subtle hints of spice and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. We tried South Africa's answer to McDonalds called Steers. Burgers and fries. Can I be anymore American? I haven't tried smiley yet. I will if presented with the opportunity! Our tour guide mentioned that worms is another dish. Yeah....

While the views might be breathtaking, the poverty is eye opening. As a tourist, you will see the beautiful Table Mountain, pristine beaches, the luxurious shopping and dining, and engage in various other activities. You'll probably visit the District Six museum. You most likely wont see the poverty that resulted for blacks and colored (Mixed races, Muslim, etc.) were forcibly removed for whites to move in. (The whites never moved in.) We took a tour of the townships and saw the lingering effects of apartheid. All these years later and these poor people are still living in squalor. They are finally starting to build better homes. Countless young children were on the street during school hours. 25 percent of the population is unemployed. Gangsterism is reality in Cape Town. We stopped by a memorial for three young boys killed in 1985 known as the Trojan Horse Massacre. During this time, it was not uncommon to see security police using tear gas and other punishments against blacks. On a fateful night in October, a security vehicle with security force men hidden in wooden crates inside, waited for the van to be stoned. A group of protestors fell into the trap and stoned the vehicle. Three boys lost their lives. It reminded me of the Mississippi Civil Rights workers that were lynched by the KKK. It reminded me Trayvon Martin. Such an unfortunate parallel. It made me reflect on how the United States has ways to go in term of race relations. Think about how much more it will take or South Africa to catch up.

Can you guess what the largest gang in South Africa is called? The Americans. Why? They want to have the know power or be the most dominant gang.