The Role of Humor in Social Justice/Contested History
Jan van Riebeeck was an employee of the Dutch East Indian Trading Company who decided to come to South Africa and set up a refreshment stand for explorers and traders coming around the southern most tip of Africa. Incidentally, he didn't leave and is a big part of the reason that South Africa has the long, complicated and fractured history it has. It should be no surprise then that Mr. Van Riebeeck's image was often a popular symbol for the Nationalist party and the apartheid state. As that is the case, I can't say I am a huge fan of him or his hedge in Kirstenbosch Gardens, where this picture was taken. However, I am continually impressed with the ability of the South African people and their government to retain heritage and messy history without trying to sweep it under the rug. There are still streets and buildings named after Afrikaaner as well as resistance folks. This naming is political and more importantly, it forces people to remember and face the legacy of apartheid, from both sides, daily.
Analogously, the United States has a lot of trouble discussing and facing the legacy of enslavement and institutional racism. While I certainly understand why folks might not want to see monuments to confederate generals or overseers (myself included), it does force the issue into the public sphere, for better or for worse. I have certainly reconsidered the role of public memorials as a result of this trip. I think the US could take a page out of South Africa's book on this one.
And humor? I mean, look at that face. Sometimes activist academics make jokes too :) I know we're all gloom and doom and institutionalized oppression all the time but sometimes we crack, and smile. And laugh. Because if you're unable to see the humor in the intersection of the grumpy cat meme and Afrikaaner legacy, then what's the point? :)