The blacks of cape townu history

Site_link post a comment The country was not split into villains and heroes Sometimes ordinary people good people made mistakes This great struggle of ours my God what a legacy it has left us we must not see anyone but the victor No we have painted over the past as it was and replaced it with something which is pleasing to the eye A one dimensional story Historian Zara Black is far from home trying to come to terms with her family s past The unearthing begins with Isaiah Black the grandfather who concealed his race to escape the harsh realities of the diamond mines before abandoning his mother and ultimately changing his name to Isaiah Black A name that is not without irony for a man who was classified as mixed passed as white and sired a line of coloured descendants The Blacks of Cape TownInterview with the author The country was not contrary to all expectation split into villains and heroes Sometimes ordinary people good people fucked up 1920590382 I absolutely devoured this book Despite heavy subject matter it was very accessible It was poignant and thought provoking and had so many layers but even if those layers are not known to non South Africans the story is a totally universal one of hope ultimately As a white South African I carry a lot of guilt for the past so the story resonated very deeply The whole question around whether or not we are responsible for our descendants sins intrigues me and opens up so many avenues of thought I loved the ending with Zara returning home and letting go of baggage that is how we will bring back hope here in SA and move forward However this message is not just for a country but an excellent philsophy for all of us to just let go Highly recommend this book 1920590382 I was so hooked by the title It s such an important topic and an easy enough read but boy did I struggle with this book Are we responsible for the sins of our fathers I still don t know the answer 1920590382 An new perspective that explores uncomfortable truths that most South Africans have filed away This beautifully written book tells a story of a South African family over the ages while ably weaving in current global themes and events In so doing the author explores not only the South African context but human nature 1920590382 Great Themes of history and relevance to the present 10 10 1920590382