FIrst Meeting

    Today we had our first experience with IJR(Institute for Justice and Reconciliation). When we arrived I felt a bit awkward, as I often do when meeting people for the first time. However, after a little time had passed I felt comfortable and welcomed into a space that was created for the purpose of social change and I found that very exciting!  Activists from all parts of South Africa had come together to discuss some of the issues they see in their communities and to brainstorm some possible solutions to those issues.

     During the first half of the workshop we enjoyed an introductory presentation about IJR, given by Stanley and Kenneth, two amazing guys who are obviously passionate about what they do. Because I have not had a lot of experience with a social change organization (outside of student organizations), I found the information presented interesting and very useful. During the second half of the workshop we broke out into smaller groups in order to discuss issues the community activists are most concerned about and to pose some possible solutions or areas of focus for IJR.

    Our role in the workshop was to be more like participant observers. It was emotional, and at times, hard to hear the personal stories the community activists shared with us. In our group the women spoke about multiple situations in which young children were shot by the police. In one instance it was a reaction to the child throwing rocks, and as a result he had lost an eye. After the shooting the boy had dropped out of school, began using drugs and became involved in gang activity. Only having one eye caused him to feel worthless and as if he had nothing to look forward to.

     While listening to these instances and discussing some things IJR can focus on, we talked about how the remnants’ of apartheid need to dissipate. We also discussed a need for change in attitude, a change from the inside out. Topics such as social programs and social workers were mentioned, as well as the need for education and workshops.

     The workshops would teach people their rights in order for them to be able to handle difficult situations in a productive way, this way people are less likely to take situations into their own hands. One of the major obstacles to such a solution seems to be the police. How does a community trust the people who are supposed to serve and protect them, when such instances of senseless violence occur by their hands?

    The farmers strike was another major point in our conversation, as it was in several groups, and it is another example of oppression and the lingering result of apartheid. In the U.S. news I had never heard of the farmers strike before and I was completely unaware of the issue until this workshop.

     One of the most important issues seems to be the farmers living conditions. They have little to no privacy and their living quarters are extremely small. Sometimes they must go to the restroom in the same room they use to cook their food! In our group it was suggested that IJR look to voices of both the farmers and workers, who need to come together and work side by side in order to sort problems out.

    However, I feel one of the most powerful things we discussed was the need for attitudinal change. The way individuals see and treat each other really needs to be addressed, as Ghandi said “Be the change you want to see in the world”.

     I felt it was important that we learn about these issues because we do not hear about such issues at home. I am eager to share what I have learned with others in the U.S. The IJR is an amazing organization working for change with equally amazing people and I am so grateful they welcomed us to be involved in the workshop!

To learn more about IJR and the awesome work they do visit their website. http://www.ijr.org.za/