Happy Post-Human Rights Day

So, this past weekend the whole of South Africa celebrated Human Rights Day. There were so many festivals and festivities to attend that it was so easy to just get lost in yet another public holiday. But let us not forget how far we have come as a nation. We have fought an unjust government system and won, we have fought cruelty and injustice and (for the most part) have learned how to co-exist as a nation, as one people.

We definitely have loads of victories to celebrate during Human Rights Day.... We now live in a society where all people are equal. I know we aren't fully there yet and we definitely haven't arrived at where we ought to be yet, but we sure are a long way from where we were. We have the priviledge of living in a country where all peoples are considered equal (and not just according to race, but in all spectrum of life - race, gender, etc.).

Human Rights Day

But, we also have some ways to go...

I was once again reminded of this fact today. I had a dentist appointment and while waiting on the receptionist to process my records one of the local soapies was showing on tv. The scene that was on showed a guy (coloured) who found out his ex-girlfriend (black) was pregnant. The receptionist, to my shock, stated "How could he have sex with a black woman?". I was shocked at the fact that someone who seemed educated could make such a statement.

Having just celebrated Human Rights Day this past weekend, it's easy to have thought that we have fully arrived - getting lost in the festivities and all the human rights rallies. Today was a reminder that although we have come so far, we still have a lot of work to do.

Rights and Equality for all...

Let's work harder at building this great nation, let's make the future even brighter so that our children may see the path we have carved out for them. Judging from how far we have already come, I say our glass is half full....

Happy post-Human Rights day SA!