How Chinese in South Africa became Black

This is a quote taken from a 2008 article in South China Morning Post.

How Chinese in Africa fought to be Black

"For decades they were the non-people: ethnic Chinese South Africans who were excluded from the privileges of white society under apartheid, but for whom democracy meant they were now too white to win compensation for years of discrimination.

A recent landmark court ruling has changed all that. Chinese citizens who lived under apartheid will be legally recognised as black, a decision that will potentially give the tiny community access to billions of dollars in state contracts and a place in front of the queue for jobs.

The Pretoria High Court ruled on June 18 that the 10,000 Chinese South Africans had suffered discrimination under white rule, which ended in 1994, and were therefore entitled to the same affirmative-action policies designed to fast-track blacks into the higher ranks of the economy.

'I wanted to right the wrongs of the past,' says Patrick Chong, chairman of the Chinese Association of South Africa, the organisation that sought the legal action. 'It's important to me that people realise that Chinese people were very much part of the oppressed during the apartheid years. We were not part of the oppressors.'

The ruling will not affect the estimated 100,000 Chinese who have moved to the country since 1994.

The Donald Trump Armageddon

As a teenager, USA seemed an impossible dream. It was the home of the “The Jackson 5” and “Osmond Brothers”. By then we knew the streets of London were not paved with gold; US was the new El Dorado. The reality has never kept pace with the dream…but it prevails.

Nothing I knew of America has prepared me for the depth of depravity on show during the current election. It also reveals a lot about human nature in general. Racism and bigotry is alive, well and once again very visible. The veil of   shame and political correctness which has dampened this in recent decades have been lifted.

The USA is the uncontested leader of the free world; and yet it is within a month of having a President who speaks with pride of grabbing the genitals of women and relishing the fact that his social status allows him to do so with impunity.

The ease with which Trump slipped into foul-mouth vulgarity in the presence of the media was a window into his arrogance and perception of invincibility.  It is inconceivable that people who have worked or associated with him in his business and on his campaign were unaware of this failure in his character. It seems that wealth conquers all.

If he wins his status will be greatly inflated, his power infinite. Can the world trust a man who has shown his willingness to abuse power and take advantage of the vulnerable with even more power?

Are Americans prepared to wake up on November 9th and at best find themselves the laughing stock of the world? 

But this is not only an American problem; it is a problem for us all…particularly women. 

The President of the USA is the foremost leader of the world. Where he goes others follow.