“June Bug,” our rented Toyota Spark, took us everywhere we wanted to go. We started out in Constantia — one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Cape Town, South Africa — and drove out of the city into the wilderness of Stellenbosch wine country. Taking the N2 road, which stretched to the west of Cape Town, we saw Cape Town’s apparent “first world development” deteriorate into settlement townships. These townships, which are urban shanty towns created during the Apartheid era for non-whites, are now destinations for tourists to witness South Africa’s great poverty and racial inequality. But even though we were momentarily aware of the real South Africa, we easily forgot it as we arrived in Speir.
Excitedly, we parked June Bug and ventured into Speir. We were officially tourists. We saw cheetahs, tasted five kinds of wine, had our faces painted in white dots, held baby owls — which happened to pee on us — and took thousands of typical tourist photos.
We left Speir and drove back to Constantia. June Bug did well, considering he was a stick shift and could barely maneuver himself up a mountain. The following day, we tested him even more by driving out to Cape Point — a location near the Cape of Good Hope, the most southwestern point of Africa where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean. We drove over the cliffs and white beaches of Noordhoek, Kommetjie and Scarborough, a scenic route comparable to California’s Route 1, except that the ocean is bluer, and the mountains are higher — and it’s in Africa. At Cape Point we climbed the large, hillish mountain and stood at the edge, nearly 400 meters above the sea, waves crashing below. The scenery reminded me of what the original explorers saw when they arrived. Now, I was an explorer as well.
Actually, I was just a girl in gladiator sandals with an extremely large purse full of my essentials — a camera, ChapStick, sunblock and a credit card. Hence the paradox of tourism and Cape Town. Cape Town is in Africa — and yet it is Europeanized. There are cheetahs but they are in cages. There is vast beauty and wilderness but they are urbanized, too. There is wealth but it is right next to poverty. I was feeling confused by the dualistic nature of our visit. It seemed as though we were contributing to a certain type of unnameable exploitation. But if we did not visit and help boost the economy by tourism, would not the country suffer more?
We left Cape Point, and I continued to stare at the surroundings as June Bug slowly crept out of the national reserve — which encompassed Cape Point — and back into Muizenberg, a small beach town outlying Cape Town, where we stopped for Mojitos. We continued the night onward, and I put my slight uneasiness at bay by drinking and dancing and enjoying the comfortable side of Cape Town. The trip continued on in this way: me feeling slightly uneasy about exploitation and poverty but reassuring myself that the money I was spending as a tourist was helping the economy. And so June Bug drove us down to Hermanus, an area along the southern coast known for its beauty, and out to a safari the following day at Garden Route Game Lodge, where we saw lions, elephants, zebras and giraffes. June Bug drove us to Victoria Wharf and to the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island, from which we took a ferry to that location. June Bug drove us everywhere our tourist-student hearts desired to go.
After nearly six days of driving June Bug, we realized we had refueled him only three times. We had driven vast amounts, at least 1,000 kilometers — but he had taken only about two tanks of gas, at most. His gas gauge must have been broken, right? We were nervous that we would run out of fuel; however, when we went to fill him up, he only took four liters. How could this be?
African Magic was the answer, or so said my friend’s mother, with whom we were staying. Do not question it; just let it be. And so African Magic became the answer to my previous uneasiness. The paradoxes, the dualistic nature of Cape Town’s European style inside of Africa’s poverty. It was African Magic that forced everything into harmony; it was African Magic that came from the paradox. Apartheid’s shadow was so obvious from the settlement townships, and yet it was also a thing of the past and any modern-day consequences of such must be overcome. The exploitation amid the natural beauty seemed to come together to form African Magic — which was essentially that things were different here. The way of life was different. Things had to be taken as they were and slowly pushed toward betterment instead of being forced. Thus, I came to realize that South Africa is about relaxing into the state of things while striving to become better. South Africa is a paradox: It’s magic.
“Cape Town is in Africa — and yet it is Europeanized. There are cheetahs but they are in cages.”
Could someone please tell me how this article can be published in the Cav Daily? Did no one on staff see the racist undertones that are present throughout this article? The sentence above is just one example; this sounds like a travelogue written by Kipling.
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I’m embarrassed that Julia Sharpe is representing UVA to the world. I am so disturbed by the author’s blase attitude towards poverty and inequality, along with her naive faith in the trickle down economics of tourism. Here’s the reality: none of the money she spent at bars, clubs, restaurants or wineries will reach the people she saw in “real Africa”. It will go to people who are already better off, even if only marginally. She’s just accepting rationalizations about African magic instead of thinking critically about the problems a developing country faces. She would rather perpetuate stereotypes about Africa (“there’s nothing we can do because its African magic”) and about UVA (“all UVA students are shallow, privileged people who drink a lot”) than take the opportunity she has of being abroad to learn more about the world.
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“It seemed as though we were contributing to a certain type of unnameable exploitation. But if we did not visit and help boost the economy by tourism, would not the country suffer more?”
Which part of the country and the economy are you helping, exactly?
This column should not have been published.
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“These townships, which are urban shanty towns created during the Apartheid era for non-whites, are now destinations for tourists to witness South Africa’s great poverty and racial inequality”
No. These are not tourist destinations. These are places in which people live. Every day. They are not on display for your sick safari through poverty.
“I put my slight uneasiness at bay by drinking and dancing and enjoying the comfortable side of Cape Town. The trip continued on in this way: me feeling slightly uneasy about exploitation and poverty but reassuring myself that the money I was spending as a tourist was helping the economy.”
I am ashamed that I go to the same school as the people who wrote and published these sentences.
“European style inside of Africa’s poverty”
Perfect. Just perfect. I didn’t think it could get worse.
I find myself so aghast at the ignorance, racism, and idiocy of this article that I really cannot fathom it is in our student newspaper.
The Cavalier Daily should issue an apology for printing this article.
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Ms. Sharpe,
This article is silly. Because you do not delve into the social problems you mention and instead only mention a “slight” emotional conflict, you come off as readily dismissive and comfortably ignorant. This is particularly true because you explain your automotive phenomenon with magic and extend this magic in some incomprehensible way to the social problems of the country.
Don’t be too concerned about the “racism” criticism above, but do recognize that you displayed some ignorance. If you were more than a student writing for a student newspaper, it would be a worse indiscretion. For now, just try to flesh you central theme better.
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Great Article!
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Julia, don’t listen to these haters. I think you’re AWESOME.
Party on!
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To truly appreciate Julia Sharpe’s article, one needs to step back and look at the perceptions that people have of Africa and accept that the writings represent the views of a tourist. The first time traveller to South Africa is in for a shocker because the levels of service, quality of operations, roads and just standards of living in general are the antithesis of the rest of Africa, in fact I would say the levels of service exceed U.S standards. One also has to remember that democracy started in South Africa in 1994 and not 1776. South Africa is at baby stages yet they are striving to indulge in the best that society can give to its citizen. Its going to take time. You can go to the South side of Chicago and parts of Philadelphia, with African Americans living in deplorable conditions (considering this is the USA). People have to patient with South Africa as it is making amends with the past. For a country that is at its infancy, it is trying to give black south Africans a chance to succeed. Learn about the BEE(black economic empowerment) and affirmative action that no African county has been able to successfully jump start. Of course, there are problems but yes there are also documentable successes. Have faith – help South Africa become better. Take it from very experienced people like myself who work in the African economy on a daily basis. If we woke up everyday describing the problems with Africa, we would never want to make a difference.
Sincerely,
Raza Visram
Safari & Tour Planning Director
Raza’s Favorite Quote: “Insist Upon Yourself. Be Original” – Ralph W Emerson
AfricanMecca Safaris, Tours & Beach Vacations
Email: sales@africanmecca.com
Website: http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com
Twitter Contact: @AfricanTravel
[removed personal info -oe]
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“The scenery reminded me of what the original explorers saw when they arrived. Now, I was an explorer as well.”
hahaha. You are joking right? please tell me you are joking.
“I was feeling confused by the dualistic nature of our visit. It seemed as though we were contributing to a certain type of unnameable exploitation. But if we did not visit and help boost the economy by tourism, would not the country suffer more?”
oh dear…your moral dilemma is sooo heart-wrenching. Let me help you out:
PLEASE DON’T EVER COME BACK….your endearing efforts to ease the “suffering” of South Africa, I assure you, will NOT be missed.
*perhaps the Piss-happy baby owls were trying to tell you something!
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“It was African Magic that forced everything into harmony.” Really, Julia? Everything is in harmony? You should know that statement is a falsehood because of the discomfort you felt—even if you were able to push the uneasiness aside and make yourself feel better by drowning your sorrows in alcohol (good job at representing the US and UVa students, by the way).
“The scenery reminded me of what the original explorers saw when they arrived. Now, I was an explorer as well.” Your closed mindedness astounds me. Do you think it was the explorers who first surveyed the beauty of South Africa? There were people living there before Europeans arrived, carved up the land and killed thousands. But maybe you’re correct in paralleling yourself to such thoughtless, selfish people.
Rather than trying to write a piece of fluff story, step out of yourself, stop being the stereotypical ignorant, patronizing American and try to learn and appreciate the true South Africa—its history, its present, the problems it faces as well as the beauty and opportunities it holds (I know, shocker, right? Africa isn’t a complete twisted mess of problems?).
I myself visited South Africa this summer, but I can assure you I would never claim the exploitation of anyone or any place as being “magical.” Your article has enraged me; hence my clear frustration. However, I urge you to open your mind, take some classes related to Africa and see if you can’t get a wider perspective.
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Julia, I hope you don’t sweat the personal attacks and nasty comments some people have made under this article. This is a perfectly harmless story about a your trip to a foreign country that just so happens to be in pretty bad shape – and getting worse. The Cav Daily has printed many articles about an experience abroad that differed little than this one. They should keep doing so.
There will never be a shortage of naive American college students who think they are going to solve every other country’s problems by writing papers and blaming their own country for every problem in the world. I have a friend who is a doctor near JoBerg, and he confirms that the country has been badly misgoverned by a corrupt elite – and crime is swirling out of control.
If indeed you ever wrote that ”all UVA students are shallow, privileged people who drink a lot,” I admire your courage. But I think you should have said “most” instead of “all.” Maybe even “half.” People tend to get angry when you show them a mirror. And you might add that at a college where so many illegal drugs are being consumed every day, it is many of these same young people who think they are going to save every poor country from itself while they themselves directly finance rape, torture, murder en masse in Mexico and Colombia so they can get high.
Again, don’t sweat what they have to say here.
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It was nice to see that you felt some degree of discomfort and emotional response to the vast duality you mentioned. Although you only outline it minimally, it is nice to see that it is addressed at all… at least at first. Your last paragraph is very unfortunate, though. I’m not sure quite what you were trying to get at, but you reduced a tragedy that effects millions to a comical and light-hearted metaphor.
I really do hope you consider writing an apology, because I don’t think you had any negative or racist intentions.
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I have to say I’m glad that the Cavalier posted this article, if not for the sheer fact alone Julia will hopefully have her eyes opened by reading some of the comments posted here.
Not only that, but this is EXACTLY the kind of attitude well over half of the US has about problems in other countries–the dismissive, ignorant belief that what we’re doing is ‘enough’. Julia’s remark about her tourism money shows what I mean.
With articles like this, the readers and writers are made more aware of just how ignorant people can be, and are hopefully forever changed by that realization.
I’m not trying to insult this girl–she has to learn, just like the rest of us. If we give up on people this easily then we’ve already lost.
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Ok, is this a serious article. As an African, I’m beyond offended by the blatant ignorance that this girl is displaying in her article. African Magic? Helping the nation through tourism? Get serious, please. I, and I am sure I speak for many other Africans when I say this, do not appreciate the mockery that this article displays. Drunk UVA girl goes to Africa to help the poor. Lets be real. If the Cav Daily wants an article about South Africa, or any African nation for that matter, then can they please get somebody with serious and legitimate insight to write it. This article is so representative of how ignorant and naive Americans can be when they go to Africa.
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I would like to amend my earlier comment with an apology for being so harsh. I do not believe that you were intentionally rude or racists, but please think about how you’re representing South Africans and what their reactions might be to such an article. And again, I encourage you to take classes on African history and educate yourself. Be one to step away from the American stereotype. Again, I apologize for giving you an initial knee-jerk reaction.
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Replace “relaxing into the state of things” with “relaxing despite the state of things” and you have described the sad reality that most foreigners operate within when they visit South Africa. This article succeeded in bringing back memories of my years living in Cape Town, but has presented an extremely shallow and condescending point of view. It has gotten people talking a bit, though. Hopefully the comments here will prompt Cav Daily to run a series of articles that tap into the vast knowledge of South Africa represented by students and professors here.
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“Do not question it, just let it be”
An absurd statement, and a reflection of the lazy mentality that has dominated too many cultural and racial tensions.
Please refrain from writing for the Cav Daily until you can replace your discovery of “African Magic” with intelligence.
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After reading Julia’s article my first reactions were that she was making overly simplistic and ignorant statements about South Africa’s situation. But really how can she be blamed when she has had, I’m assuming, no education on the politcal, social and historical forces that have shaped South Africa? I’m guessing her views were informed like many of ours were at the beginning, with “Out of Africa” style movies, or snippets on TV of the starving child. Her article, perfectly refective of her experiences, made me check myself and the assumptions I have about our informed University. Even though I surround myself with people that have taken the same politics and anthropology classes I can’t assume for even a second that the whole University has been thus informed.
Julia please don’t stop exploring. And please don’t think that certain unexplainable things that don’t feel right should be left to “african magic” and be patched up with money. It’s easy to end your journey with a neat packaged feel of what it all adds up to, but if you walk away in denial without exploring those things that just don’t feel right, then you really have let yourself and others down. It’s important to remember that we are students here. Seriously though we don’t come in with the answers, in many ways we don’t even leave with the answers either but please please please learn about Africa, take a class, attend a lecture, explore, that is what college is for. And by all means don’t stop with this article. This is only the beginning for you.
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Lol @ ChiChi Chola talking about ignorance of any sort
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“perfectly harmless story..”. –perhaps
…but what then? what is next? where does it end?
Lets imagine, for example, a ‘perfectly harmless’ conception of South Africa manifesting into perhaps continued ‘perfectly harmless’ discussions circulating through UVa and beyond, advocating these ‘perfectly harmless’ views (I admit, this maybe an ever-so-slight improvement to some of the other ‘perfectly harmless’ discussions that circulate TJ’s plantation). Does this writer have like minded friends? are they now inspired to help? (it wouldn’t be the first time). Hey, who knows, maybe this young writer and co., inspired by Africa’s Magic, decide to continue their quest to “visit and help boost the economy” armed with this ‘perfectly harmless’ view. When does the ‘perfectly harmless’ Western tourist cross the line when do they become patronizing, insulting, and dangerous? Ignorance is harmless until someone opens there mouth, vocalizes it, and it goes unchecked. Then it has the potential to get ugly. Would you suggest that we not comment on such a ‘perfectly harmless’ story?
You seek to publish a personal account about your experience; why would comments directly related to your published personal account be considered harsh attacks? Maybe they are red flags! or maybe even opportunities to seek greater critical info, as someone above mentioned, to “tap into the vast knowledge of South Africa represented by students and professors here”.
I think (I hope) this all will be a learning experience for the author and other travelers out there. Rethink your “vacation”. Look past the fine wine, scenic views, and pissing wildlife. Hardly magical.
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You losers should leave the poor girl alone, buy yourself a Prius, park it in your garage, turn it on and take a nice long nap.
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Check it out.
I just found a video of some of the gals who have been attacking Julia Sharpe for daring to write a harmless story about her trip to Africa, and to dare quote an AFRICAN she was staying with!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGLxJRq-jIY
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There are two entities at fault here. The first is Julia Sharpe who is guilty of multiple offenses with the creation of “June Bug”. The second is the editorial staff of the Cavalier Daily, an amateur publication to begin with, for demonstrating the same ignorance and poor judgment that led to the embarrassing and offensive conclusions made in Sharpe’s article.
Addressing Julia Sharpe, a college-aged student at one of the top universities in the US, there is absolutely no excuse for displaying such blatant ignorance and apathy. Curious vocabulary and sentence construction aside (read: poor writing), Sharpe should be ashamed to have authored such a piece. As is evident from the article, Sharpe is a privileged person of the “first world”, educated, and in no shortage of opportunities exposing her to the economic disparities in the world around her. With that privilege, education, and opportunity comes social responsibility, something that a shockingly large portion of the UVA student body, and the American population at large, lacks. It is appalling that despite direct exposure to the poverty and underdevelopment within South Africa, even more intriguing as South Africa is the site of the 2010 World Cup and arguably Africa’s most progressive country, Sharpe remained largely apathetic and even attempted to disguise her tourist consumerism, curiously centered about alcohol, as altruistic. Shame, shame, shame! Social responsibility means educating oneself instead of passively “relaxing into the state of things” and attributing poverty and exploitation to “African magic”. Social responsibility means turning your confusion and momentary awareness into enlightenment and action. Social responsibility means representing the UVA student body in a coherent, respectable fashion. Please, Julia Sharpe, assume your social responsibility!
Editors of the Cavalier Daily, you are no less guilty. Your job is to assess the integrity of each and every article that is submitted for publication. You have failed the student body with the decision to publish “June Bug”, not to mention the countless other articles of similarly poor quality found in nearly every issue. Just as Sharpe failed to exercise social responsibility, so have you. If you wished to publish an article on a student’s tourist expedition for vacation’s sake, then do not choose one that meagerly attempts to justify tourism amid post-colonial poverty with trickle-down economics and magic. It is hard not to see the publication of “June Bug” as a satire of UVA mentality while abroad. Satire status would, at least, elevate the intellectual level of the piece and the Cavalier Daily overall. In the future, assess articles with a critical eye towards quality, intellect, and for the English Department’s sake, good writing.
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http://www.granta.com/Magazine/92/How-to-Write-about-Africa/Page-1
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I for one think Tracy is Rizzo, and Steph is Frenchie.
Rizzo, amidst your 5 line sentences with just as many commas mocking Julia’s grammar skills, I feel compelled to remind you that all of your commas are supposed to come before the ending quotation marks.
http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000089.htm
So much for that “top university,” huh? Please take note of where I put my last comma, and thank you for remembering this 4th. grade English grammar rule in the future.
Your facebook profile picture featuring three totally wasted girls in party hats and blowers also makes a curious backdrop to your loathing of all things privileged and involving alcohol. Please update it when you move into your tin hut in Soweto in May. We wouldn’t want anyone to think you’re privileged or anything.
Now take that wig off before Sandra Dee sees you!
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Uh… what’s the deal with this “social responsibility” nonsense?
Just cause I go to UVa doesn’t mean I have a responsibility to feel bad for any particular group of people.
Also, what’s up with people writing these long responses? Do you guys really have nothing better to do? Finally, please write so that you don’t sound like you just sat on a hockey stick. Though I guess if it makes you feel smart or more important – go ahead.
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In a way, Julia, I’m glad for your article. I would say most people (not only Americans, either) feel qualified to talk about a country that they’ve visited, because they assume they know more about the place than does their audience. Julia, unfortunately for you, your audience this time a group of scholars that is well-versed in South Africa’s history, has for years explored those “uneasy feelings,” and is invested in the country’s proper representation.
The problem, though, is greater than your lack of sensitivity to South Africa’s history. The problem is that someone thought your perspective on south africa, developed behind the windows of your june bug, was mature enough to be published. Having spent a summer in South Africa myself, I know how some UVA students react. Before even knowing why I was there, they say, “Wow, you’ve been to Africa? Out to save the world?” I’ve even been introduced as, “She’s cool- she’s been to Africa!” Julia, it’s easy to bask in that attention, especially when encouraged to share your view in a cav daily article. It’s easy but terribly irresponsible.
Rather than become defensive against these criticisms, I hope you embrace them. Now that you’ve opened the door, I encourage you to challenge your learning experience. Take off the blindfolds and leave your june bug behind. It’s time to travel by foot – to ask for answers from more than just your friend’s mom. Find the UVA community that will help you explore those uneasy feelings so that you can bear them with responsibility.
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Ok so the Liberal PC machine was out in force today I see. Julia, these people will eat you alive for merely telling a story that doesn’t blame the U.S for exploiting a country, or doesn’t recognize that socialism is the answer. Liberals keep your panties on please. Your expectations need to adjust: This is a girl who went on a trip and was telling us about it, this is not a NY Times Op-ed piece about poverty in South Africa. There was no racism at all, and to suggest otherwise is tantamount to slander.
I myself come from a poor country and we NEED tourists. Whether you liberals like it or not, tourists bring a lot of money into the economy. This money is spread around to companies (that create jobs and wealth), and governments (that implement welfare programs). So get off your high horse and calm down.
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I’m really encouraged by the comments I’m seeing. Thanks!
Frankly, I am not surprised that the Cavalier Daily, yet again, endorses “free speech” by publishing pointless, offensive, and ignorant pieces such as this one. I sincerely hope that you see the danger in your misrepresentation of your adventure into the deep, dark, Cape Town… You’re perpetuating myths that are based in nothing more than racism and elitism (unconscious or not). Please never set foot outside you’re clearly insular UVA bubble, again. If you choose to do some other poor people a favor and grace them with your presence, please spare all of us the trouble and keep your opinions to yourself.
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@4thYear
The criticism of her article isn’t about being a liberal. It’s about a girl writing an article about an African country where her basic message is: “Look at how quaint and strange this different culture is. This sure is confusing. Maybe if I get drunk at tourist bars it’ll slowly improve the life of these poor people.”
That’s not politically incorrect, it’s ignorant. I know Julia probably wrote this article with the goal of describing how awesome her experience was in SA but things got away from her when she strayed away from her experience to dabble in mild social commentary and a romantic metaphor.
I find the whole prospect of tourist dollars helping to improve the South African economy humorous. SA’s economic problems are not based in a lack of foreign capital or resources but more likely within the remnants of apartheid.
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To Anonymous Sean:
Just because you can’t comprehend a sentence with a parenthetical statement or two doesn’t mean you can go attacking me without any substance to your argument whatsoever. My response was intended to highlight the two issues that I discussed and nothing more. It clearly stimulated you enough to go perusing for my picture. I’ll be sure to toast my next shot to your pathetic musings on facebook profile.
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Rizzo, you are the one who heaped shame on someone for their terrible grammar, while using terrible grammar yourself. It was rude an insulting to the author. Apparently, you like giving it out, but don’t take it nearly as well. Your last sentence again reminds us of your English grammar problems. Shoot the messenger if you wish – it’s here for all to see.
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The Cavalier Daily supports spirited debate of the article and the topics it brings up. However, please avoid personal attacks that don’t advance the discussion. -ed
A good frame of reference for comments on the Cavalier Daily website is “Would I feel appropriate saying this to someone in person?” Please avoid the ad hominem attacks and judgments of moral characters; they do not advance discussion of the topic and discourage others from commenting. -Online Editor
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At Tally Ho: I enjoyed reading your response. I think that criticizing her for being ignorant, and suggesting that she shouldn’t feel bad about the poor because she is helping them with her tourist money, is O.K. I didn’t enjoy the article myself, I only wanted to chastise those who suggested it was racist.
You are probably correct that she should have focused her article on a particular issue instead of mixing two. It should have been about Tourism, or Poverty. The problem is she tried to mix both and ended up sounding slightly ridiculous.
As long as you criticize this article for being ignorant I am FINE with that. When the criticism is about it being racist then I disagree.
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I don’t see anything racist here. What I see is a sheltered girl that can’t write and doesn’t know how to experience the world for what it is without rose-colored glasses. I’m more ashamed that the CavDaily let this go to print.
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What you learned on your trip:
-There is “African Magic” in the air
-You can personify your car (which gets great MPGs!)
-You could potentially be “exploit[ing],” undermining and ignoring the plight of thousands of people, but you have barely a vague sense of that, so it doesn’t matter
Calling this piece racist is a bit much, but it’s definitely thoughtless and inane. You should have just gone to Disney World and written your column on that. You probably wouldn’t have missed the crux of it all (space mountain!!!).
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Much has been said already and I don’t want to add to the fray, but I would just like to comment on the nature of true perspective: everyone is entitled to it, and there is nothing wrong with expressing your experiences or views on something. After all, we write to communicate these views and convey our thoughts to others.
However;
Doing so in a manner that can clearly hold negative insinuations about a place is both insensitive and unnecessary. It is fine to comment on differences in an appropriate manner, but the way in which this article confronted the many juxtapositions of local history and culture was done in very poor taste. Consider the following lines:
“These townships, which are urban shanty towns created during the Apartheid era for non-whites… But even though we were momentarily aware of the real South Africa, we easily forgot it as we arrived in Speir” (Apartheid was an unpleasent time for many people and claimed many lives; saying that you “easily forgot” about this aspect of the country is not only unecessary to mention, but also seems somewhat disrespectful.)
“Actually, I was just a girl in gladiator sandals with an extremely large purse full of my essentials — a camera, ChapStick, sunblock and a credit card.” (if you actually went to africa, you would know that few places in sub-saharan africa outside of SA even accept/use credit cards)
Honestly, content such as this is just as much the fault of the editors as the writers themselves; knowing that 3-5 other people read this article before it was published indicates that the concern lies not just with the writer, but the higher authorities to whom they report.
Thus, as a writer, if you want to write an article about shallow western tourism in a developing nation (or something of the sort), then please feel free to do so, you are entirely entitled to your perspective — but make sure that is what your story is clearly about, and do not allow your editors to try and print it under the guise of intellectual or actual journalistic content, because it does not meet those criteria. The CD section editors and managing board editors should know this; I hope that in the efforts to uphold some standard of ethical journalism, they will prevent this from happening in the future.
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http://www.cavalierdaily.com/2010/02/11/biting-back/
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The only truly appalling and offensive aspect of this column and the comments is that anyone associated with UVA intends to perpetuate this charade of being above its well-deserved reputation of happy, shiny white people living sheltered lives. The author of this column is a perfect choice to represent both the college as well as this newspaper because she is the epitome of a UVA student. Certainly there are students with perspective, students who are genuine and engaged, students who have seen and experienced struggle and strife–but do you really expect any of us to believe she doesn’t represent the face of the tofu eating, BMW driving, cocaine snorting, house rushing, elliptical stomping, white-is-right upper middle class ~*~*Virginia~*~* student? As a graduate I find it more embarrassing that my peers and fellow alumni can’t accept and stomach who they really are instead of fighting it in these pathetic little cause crusades over the internet. At least the author of this column can admit who she is and how she sees the world–for better or for worse. This is the UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA. Go to a football game, a social formal, or just sit in the damn cafeteria for 15 minutes and look around you. Little Ms. “Actually, I was just a girl in gladiator sandals with an extremely large purse full of my essentials — a camera, ChapStick, sunblock and a credit card.” is surrounding you as student representative and lab partner, and Mr. “South Africa is a paradox: It’s magic.” is your football hero and new student tour guide. Stop kidding yourselves. No one believes this crap besides you.
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Enough of this already. Africa? How about the poor, hungry, homeless Americans currently living in the USA? Not to mention the unemployed, the ones who got burned in the stock market crash, the folks who lost their houses, etc…CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. Enough Said.
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Man. This was all sorts of rough. The article had some… blemishes, to be sure. But there is some hypocrisy reeking from this board, from all sides and viewpoints.
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Thank You, Colleen.
I don’t think any of these gals are going to be trading in their Coach handbags, Vuiton sunglasses, Ipods, iPhones, designer clothes, $90 shoes – or cutting back on the $200 bar tabs with their friends – or turning down that blood diamond ring when they marry whoever they happen to be with when they’re 24.
Somehow, all these folks think they are changing the world with a few papers in sociology/anthropology classes – or with some nasty self righteous letters to the editor. And the engineers, nurses, and doctors who COULD actually make a difference in a poor country. Well, cough cough – that aint gunna happen either. Even the ones FROM poor countries studying at UVA.. Aint no way they’re going home, and every body knows that. There are more Malawian doctors in Manchester, England than there are in Malawi.
There’s been a lot of talk about dehumanizing Africans lately. Albeit merely by quoting a South African woman herself. But dehumanizing is a very well entrenched UVA tradition the last 20 years. The most popular UVA intramural sport, if you will. It’s what happens after all those positive pregnancy tests.
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As I have mentioned previously, the Cavalier Daily does encourage, and enjoy, spirited debate of the topics at hand and issues surrounding those topics.
However, comments that stereotype or otherwise make moral judgments about the author, other commenters, or others in the University community at large are detrimental to debate and push the discussion to grounds unfit for this website. Please refrain from these personal attacks and stick to the topic of the article. Thanks! -OE
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Sean quit it with the communism body. Sorry but It doesn’t work. Capitalism is the only system that alleviates poverty.
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wow,
My proletarian body, having enjoyed repeated spikes of high demand in recent years among local female kulaks, has gone the way of UVA’s hedge fund heavy endowment in recent months – and now qualifies for the protection and company of the welfare state. It is burdened with over supplies of dormant inventory due to low demand at present.
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I honestly don’t see anything wrong with Julia Sharpe’s experience abroad. I also think everyone needs a crash course on how economies work. Unfortunately, this is not the place to give a lecture on economics, but here are my observations for whatever it’s worth:
1) Regarding Sharpe’s statement: “the money I was spending as a tourist was helping the economy.”
Absolutely true and indisputable. What this can lead to is an increase in wealth in South Africa. Increase in wealth means people have more to spend, which helps create more jobs, which helps slowly bring people out of poverty one-by-one.
Some of the wealthy may decide to pack up and leave S.Africa (as in spend their money outside of S.A.), in which case, as long as demand for S.African goods exists (Sharpe continues to enjoy all that S.A. has to offer), there will be plenty of wealth to be had.
South Africa is hosting the World Cup in June this year. This event requires hundreds of millions of dollars in investment (if not billions). I highly doubt S.A. is doing this for African Pride (no matter what they say). The World Cup is the most widely watched single-sporting event in the world, it draws in thousands and thousands of tourists and millions and millions of dollars of sponsorship, not to mention the money they can earn through broadcasting rights. South Africa is hosting it to stimulate its economy. If S.A. has a good economy, the government can increase funding on health care, education reforms, social projects, etc.
We need more Julia Sharpes to enjoy the beauties of South Africa.
2) My second observation is this: Sharpe recognizes that there are poor unfortunate people in South Africa and is disturbed by this. Sharpe feels she is unable to help, afterall she’s only in S.A. for a few days. She tells herself that spending money at bars, etc. as a tourist will help the economy and therefore help the poor.
I think that tells us a whole lot. Not to repeat Colleen’s comments, Sharpe is representative of a good portion of UVA and many US universities. This is not a bad thing. On the contrary in fact, it is a wonderful thing.
What Sharpe tells us is that there are people out there who are willing to spend money to enjoy themselves. She is also telling us that those people wish they could help the poor, but feel incapable of doing so for whatever perfectly legitimate reason. Finally, she tells us that those people are willing to spend extra money if they think that the money will help the poor. Three very valuable points.
What Sharpe tells me is that there is an opportunity here for the poor. For example, if Sharpe came across two similar bars in South Africa one night; the first bar was a privately-run 100% for-profit bar and the other bar was a social business run by an organization that provides 50% of profits to building schools and helping the poor grow self-sustaining businesses, Sharpe would choose the latter bar to enjoy herself.
Now we have a wonderful thing going. Sharpe has an absolutely wonderful time in South Africa, and the poor have 50% of profits from Sharpe’s cost of leisure. The poor are directly profitting from Sharpe having a good time.
In summation, Sharpe has done nothing wrong. In fact, she has done everything right. Sharpe has given us valuable information with which we can use to help. We need people like Sharpe to stimulate economies and fund social projects. Sharpe is not stupid, nor is she ignorant. She will support good causes.
We need Sharpe to be successful in her life so she can enjoy more vacations in South Africa and support any social organizations she can.
We also need another person (perhaps Rachel Vaughn or Laura Bell or whomever) who feels so strongly for S.A. or the poor to develop these social organizations (also known as social businesses) so as to maximize utility of Sharpe’s money.
I know I may sound like I am insulting Sharpe, but please do not take it this way. My main point is that College students in general (and I cannot stress IN GENERAL enough) like to have fun and like to help, but they like to have fun more. We can turn things arounds so that having fun can also be helping.
To all you angry commenters out there….don’t get mad, get creative!
Julia Sharpe, well done. I support you. Feel free to contact me, I may need a good writer on my team soon.
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@Ali: Wow, How did we miss this? All this time…
The grand solution to helping the Poor and taking people out of “poverty one-by-one”?
Trickle down Economics.
Thank you my friend. As an eager, travel-happy College student, I now know what I have to do to save the world! Thank you!
Mojitos anyone?
@ Sean: The racial and socio-economic realities of South Africa are extremely ‘complicated’. Just because she was told by a “SOUTH AFRICAN” does not mean she has been completely informed. This one “South African” we are told is from
“Constantia — one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Cape Town, South Africa”.
I can assure you that this South African’s view of “African Magic” as the explanation for South Africa- “the paradox”, will differ VERY much from the majority of South Africans.
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@T Ford:
Thank you for reading my comments and for your reply. Perhaps my comments did not come across properly, or perhaps you did not read my whole comment.
My comment regarding Trickle Down Economics was not to say it was the grand solution to helping out the poor. What I meant to say is that Trickle Down Economics does exist and it does help albeit very slowly (hence one-by-one).
If you continued reading my comment further, I had suggested A solution (not THE solution) to helping the poor in South Africa. My suggestion was not trickle down economics, but a form of social business where the poor can provide a service or good that tourists (or people with money to spend) would want. This way, people who have come to South Africa to enjoy can enjoy while knowing that a good portion of what they paid for their fun goes to a good cause.
My one example was a bar. We know that many tourists enjoy going to bars and enjoying the nightlife. If there were a social organization that operated a bar and the profits from that operation went to fund small start-up businesses of the poor (for example), we can now create a new channel of money to fund services that help the poor get out of poverty.
This is not a new concept. Bars in the United States often have charitable events where X% of profits for certain number of nights go to a good cause. Often times, those bars see a significant increase in revenues and customers because people like to have fun and support good causes.
And in order for a project like that to work, we need two types of people: Sharpes and you. We need passionate smart people like you, T Ford, to start such organizations, and caring fun people like Sharpe to spend their dollars on fun things.
You need to recognize that the demand for things that people like to do/wear/use on a frequent basis constantly trumps over demand for trinklets, dolls, and souvenirs that many of the poor try to sell in order to make a living. You can’t shift mountains of dollars in the direction of trinklets. You need to provide a service or good that satisfies demand. Alcohol (among many many many other things) is of high demand by tourists, social organizations should see the opportunity and use it in their favor.
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Apologies…
For my earlier comment immediately above, I wish I had used “A method (not THE method)”. I am in no position to offer solutions, I am offering suggestions of methods in which we can help the poor.
Thanks.
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I don’t know how cav daily could let someone so ignorant and unprofessional write such a racist article.
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I have trouble finding racism or patronization in this article. When it comes to the more recent publication “Love is Propaganda?” This one looks completely innocent. Go spit venom on that article, because it’s far more prejudiced than anything here, and deserves the lashing June Bug has received. June Bug deserved a few constructive comments explaining why she shouldn’t have said some things the way she did; it was not some racist manifesto and does not merit the vindictive scorn seen here. “Love is Propaganda,” however, does. It is blatantly prejudiced, whereas this was not.
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Reed, nobody has to be forced to think like you do, or be silenced in print for daring to disagree with you. You are the one spitting venom. And it is all in vain.
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Sean, I think we both agree this article was mostly harmless… Unless you’re a different Sean than the one constantly defending the author of this article. But I’m not forcing silence on anybody.
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To whom it may concern,
I am a UVA student currently studying at the University of Cape Town. Although much of what Julia says here is very naive, a lot is also correct. Cape Town is a very European city, millions of people live in poverty in tin shacks in townships but Julia is correct in saying it is a tourist destination, as odd as that sounds. As far as racism goes, the topic is discussed differently here. In the states, if I were to talk about the black school that I volunteer at on Thursdays, people would look at me in disgust asking, “why was it necessary to say it was a ‘black school’” If I talked about how Mannenberg is a primarily colored township and Khayelitsha is primarily black I’d get a similar reaction. If I were to say Sippho were a white township, that’d be a lie. You can not bring your American ideas of racism and place them on this situation. It just does not quite apply here.
But, Julia’s comments on feeling better about enjoying her time by spending money dancing and site seeing in spite of the intense amount of poverty is pretty ignorant.
Also, the most southern point in Africa is actually Cape Argus.
“The real Africa” is a term you hear a lot here. Especially from semester study abroad students. “We don’t see the real South Africa in Cape Town”, is a very common phrase. Yet, as a middle class white person, I’m pretty sure this is the real South Africa for me. Living in a huge house with a gate and bars on my windows and two fridges filled with food, going on tours to Cape Point, hiking table mountain, eating vast amount of fish in Kalk Bay, surfing in Muizenberg, bungy jumping off of Bloukrans Bridge. These are all done by predominately white descendants of British settlers (to a smaller extent Afrikaners). I’m not quite sure what you want from Julia, but this is real life here for people with money, and white people hold the majority of the wealth in Cape Town.
Walking to class, the people I see holding work signs, cutting grass, driving taxis are all black or colored (skin color is very differentiated here. It does mean something and says a lot about culture here). The people who own the cab company, or who are having their fence repaired are white.
Julia didn’t get any closer to a township than driving by it but every Thursday I go to Khayelitsha (predominately black Xhosa speaking township in Cape Town) to tutor 8th graders in English. These kids are A M A Z I N G. The girls I was working with a couple days ago speak 5 languages, their favorite subject is math, and they love net ball and soapies (soap operas).
Anyways, I recommend reading some articles or novels by the author J.M. Coetzee. It may help to understand Julia’s confusion because confusion is a really hot topic here.
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