University of Pretoria students have launched a #ColourBlind movement to abolish racism following clashes at the institution this week.
University of Pretoria (UP) students have launched a #ColourBlind campaign against racist violence on campus.
The campaign urges people to take a picture of themselves with a person of another race following violent protests at UP against the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction.
Many shared their images with friends on the #ColourBlind Facebook page.
“These students have made a decision to stand up and raise their voice in the form of a peaceful protest against any form of racism,” said the description of the Facebook page #ColourBlind.
The #AfrikaansMustFall movement was demanding transformation while AfriForum and Afrikaans students wanted to protect their language and culture at the university.
This resulted in a racial clash and violence between the students this week, forcing the university to shut down all academic activity.
The #ColourBlind campaign said: “Students of the University of Pretoria have decided that they are tired of lectures being cancelled because of a handful of radical students who have now turned what was meant to be a discussion about the university’s language policy into a violent racial outburst.”
Citizens were urged to join. “We would like you to join us in this drive and to encourage students all over SA and the world to start trending the #ColourBlind.”
I'm so happy to be part of this campaign. Let's all just love each other and be #ColourBlind! ✊🏻❤️✊🏼❤️✊🏽❤️✊🏾❤️✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/EZkYCjsZ3t
— •Coop'Rrrrr• (@11LadyQ11) February 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/BeingAMisfit/status/702096324322263040
Love always conquers fear and hatred. Jesus!!! #Colourblind @UPTuks @UP_SRC @SABCNewsOnline @CRCMain @perderby @eNCA pic.twitter.com/iS6zqikymv
— Chemutai♡ (@WinnieChemKirui) February 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/MiCasaMusic/status/702146738161905664
Tuks have also been at the forefront of positive change in SA.
Earlier this week, students on the campus launched an initiative promoting peace across racial lines & religions.
They congregate every morning to promote peace by joining hands & singing in Zulu, Afrikaans & English.
The group was started to show that violence is not the answer & their numbers are already more now than the current political violent campus groups.
These kids are the future. They are our hope. Proving that good will always prevail & we are stronger together than divided.
#SouthAfricaMustRise
Thank you to you who heard the still small voice of the Lord in all the chaos. We need you to put on the armour of God. Their is hope for this land, we need you.
I was loosing hope, but these young people have rekindled humanity in me, so I will stay and continue helping people of all colour as I have been doing for years.
This triples my pride to be South African! We have what it takes to be a united Nation …. Let’s be a shining example to the world. Go kids !
I am proud of these kids! Go, Tuks go! I wrote the following post after reading about the colorblind campaign. I fully support it as an educator. Then I read some negative comments about it, and decided to write my post in support of these kids standing boldly for what they beleive. I hope this post is also spread for it is meant for all South Africans but as I have a heart for kids and young people, this is mainly directed at them as they are the future and already have the power to change things: To all fellow South Africans everywhere and especially the young South Africans currently at university: You are our future. This is for you: We are not blind, we see each other. We see the wonderful differences God has made on purpose! Each thumbprint unique. We are colorful. We are different. We speak different languages. We have different strengths, but we share one common bond. We were created by a loving Creator on purpose. Even more important: Jesus Christ shed His blood for ALL people of the world without discrimination and He has adopted us all as his own. Don’t stop to read just because you think this is just another religious post. It is not. Dare to read on. So we are truly brothers and sisters in Christ and that makes us color blind, because all we should see is that we were created uniquely but made equal through the blood of Christ. No one of us is more or less important in the Kingdom of God. What color do you ask, should we see: RED, the color red. The blood of Christ that binds us together and should keep us united. We can pray for our schools and universities. We should make a stand in a world that wants to tare everything apart and destroy it all. Lets fight in prayer! Lets fight in worship to God, singing songs to His glory. I don’t care what people think when we say we are color blind. When we say this, we say we do see we are all different and it is OK and our needs are different, and that’s OK too, but we choose not to make it the rock that we stumble over, that keeps us apart and not loving those differences. STOP making color the enemy, making language differences the enemy, making different needs in learning and anything else the enemy. The true enemy is the one destroying this country from within, turning us against one another. We are all here for a purpose. Fear is our enemy. Hate is our enemy. Destruction is our enemy. Self-righteousness is our enemy. Me-myself-and-I is our enemy. Looking out for one group’s interests while undermining or destroying another group’s, is the enemy. Bad attitudes are the enemy. Let’s get it right, kids. Let’s grow up! Let’s grow forward! Let us NOT make the same mistakes our fathers and their fathers made that brought us to this place. Let’s fight hate and fear and crime and injustice with peace and hard work and doing the right thing every time. Let’s reach out to our fellow South Africans and our fellow students and let’s not be known as the country who just couldn’t do it, couldn’t become united, couldn’t overcome the differences. It is not to be overcome, it is to be celebrated. Let’s live love and care for one another. Only then will this great country be truly great. It starts with one. Put your finger on your own heart and tell yourself it starts here, with me, now, every day in every moment and with every opportunity I can show that love and care and kindness in every place I go and work and play. The legacy of the “struggle” left to this generation is not the answer to your future. To toy-toy and complain just for the sake of complaining and demanding what you want in a destructive manner, is not the best example of getting things right, making things right or following the right path to true freedom. Freedom is not something to be taken lightly. Our true freedom was bought by someone even greater than Nelson Mandela whom we all love and respect. True freedom was bought by the blood of Christ and it covers us all. So we need to think about what we do, how we do it, how we fight for what is right not just for what we don’t like or what we think is right just for us, but what is right for everyone. No greater love is there, than someone who gives his life for his friends. Can we live this? Can we lay down our lives for our fellow South Africans? Can we work together so that everyone gets what they need, not just one group? So, I challenge all Tuks students and I hope you all spread this post. This is not just for Christians, but meant for all South Africans. Grow up! Grow forward! Live Love! Work for freedom! Work hard! Leave the past behind! Give your life for your friends. Love your enemies so they can love themselves and maybe just maybe they will start to love you back some day. Be color blind! Live color blind! Celebrate uniqueness! Be the rainbow nation we are suppose to be!!! – Tuks Alumni and South African Educator of 20 years. I love kids, but guys, you need to step it up if you want this country to succeeds. It is already in your hands. Make change happen in your time. It is possible!
Very well said from a fellow educator