You're a Prawn: District 9 and what it means for the douchebags among us

*spoiler warning*

I was seriously amped to watch District 9. The opportunity to watch a science fiction epic set in the city of my birth and breeding stewed up so much anticipation, that I nearly, for lack of better words, J’ed in my P in excitement. So I watched it. And while I didn’t quite release my fanboy secretion right there and then, I was stunned and moved in equal measure at the satirical audacity of this movie, set in Jozi, set in my hometown.

No doubt, there were many themes to pick up as this is a movie that works as an action film/sci fi epic/ moral parable – but more and more as I thought about it, I realised that what resonated with me is what it said about my perceptions in the right there and now, in JHB, in August 2009. Now, I’m pretty honest about the challenges of being a white male south african in a post-apartheid society, and I’m acutely aware about how other people, who are far less liberal than me, percieve their conditions and the conditions of others. The so-called civilised man will always percieve those less fortunate than himself as uncivilised. It’s human nature.

Let me cut pretty much to the chase and say something pretty freakin’ controversial. I think that in South Africa we are are striving to find our identity, and we do that by identifying ourselves in opposition to the other. What does this mean? It means that we are inherently racist and there’s nothing to be done about it. I come from a community that has its own special derogatory term for black people, derived by the Hebrew word for black, which is “shoch” (an Afrikaans g sound). People use it in order to describe black people, particularly those ones who are really poor, or who drive taxis, or are manual labourers, or basically, who do anything that they, the “civilised” ones, wouldn’t do. Not everyone uses it as there are many liberals/non-racialists in my community – but far too many people are comfortable with this derogatory language, and use it with shocking nonchalance.

To me, saying “shoch” is like saying the k-word. Or in District 9 terms, its like saying “prawn”. And I think we say it too much and I hope that one day we’ll stop. However, I know that racism is a reality of life in South Africa. I also know that racial tension is completely entrenched in our psyches and we know better than anyone how deep our prejudices really lie.

So essentially, what I loved about District 9, is that as Joburger, I appreciate the irony of seeing the “racist” come to terms with the liberated society around him. Just as Wickus metamorphoses into a prawn, so too do we have to come to terms with the fact that we live in “prawn” country and it is indeed time for us to assimilate into the “Hive”. Does assimilation mean that we have to lose our identities, our otherness? Of course not.

However, it does mean that if we want to be a part of this nation, we need to begin to shift our perceptions of poor people. We must try to understand the other in our midst. We must show empathy and a commitment to liberating them from their plight, as opposed to pitying them and dismissing them as non-human.

It doesn’t mean that we have to stop being afraid. We are more than justified in our fears of crime, HIV/AIDS and land redistribution – these things are real and their scariness must not be underplayed. However, we must just show a bit of class and be clever in how we relate to others around us. If we don’t, we will become the inhuman prawn – and as district 9 reminded me, some of us already are…

El Hermo's Movie Mission

I have set myself a goal between now and the end of the year. I want to watch a movies that I have never seen before...movies that form the basis of an understanding of cinema, movies that are classic, or underrated, or artistic, or just plain wierd - but most importantly, I want to watch movies that change perceptions and inspire new ideas. Not romcoms or "Angels and Demons".

So I've developed a short list of films I want to see before the end of the year. I encourage anyone who reads this to add to this list through commenting. I'm interested in most genres - except for genuinely forgettable romcoms.

Here's my list:

Dr Strangelove

Citizen Kane

The Graduate

The Shining

Metropolis

Annie Hall

Mystic river

Crumb

This is spinal tap

Casablanca

Heat

Raging Bull

Evil Dead 2

Let the right one in

In Bruges

The Thing

Goodfellas

Wonder Boys

The Great Debaters

What do you think I should be watching?

Fracture

Since the onset of the Gaza crisis, I have observed with growing concern a rise in Anti-semitic behaviour the world over. Jewish communities across the world have been criticized for their devotion to the State of Israel by vast numbers of the population, and there has been a marked rise in Anti-Israel sentiment, which has manifested through an increase in Anti-Semitic attacks in countries including France, Venezuela and many other countries. From the arson and desecration of houses of worship to the victimising of Jewish children as they walk the streets of their adopted countries, it has become clear that the world’s perception of Jewish people is strongly linked to the policies and behaviour of the State of Israel, the Jewish homeland.

In many ways, this is correct. Israel is the land of Jews and its existence and security is paramount to the confidence of an entire religion. In the eyes of many Jewish people, to stand against the policies of Israel is to stand against the essence of one’s Jewish identity. Yet, there are those who disagree with this view. In the secular world, there is a tendency that it is important to look at all sides of an argument, which has led a number of people, even a number of Jews, to the belief that Israel’s attacks on UN hospitals, schools and heavily populated civilian areas were disproportionate, badly managed and ultimately, evidence of the continued “oppression” of the Palestinian people.

This article is not about the debate as to whether Israel was right or wrong. If it helps, the writer of this piece stands strongly with the State of Israel’s right to defend itself from continued attacks but has obvious and understandable reservations of the humanitarian costs of this security. What this article aims to investigate is the nature of this resistance and dischord within the South African Jewish Community, where the mainstream community is up in arms against those people who have taken the position of criticizing Israel’s actions in the Gaza Conflict and the many other military crises that have preceded it.

The “Letter of Shame” has become a major talking point in the community. A number of individuals on the liberal left of the South African community have put their names on a “not in my name” letter that clearly indicates that they do not support the Israeli action in Gaza. The mainstream community has met this letter with outrage. Labelled “Anti-Semites” and “Hamas Supporters”, the mechanisms of the community have sought to repel these views from the community consciousness with the official line of the community being a continued devotion and support for the state of Israel. The mainstream community does not ask these individuals to recant their views, but rather derides these individuals as self hating Jews who demonstrate elements of the anti-semitic behaviour that seems to be sweeping the world at the moment.

This is not the first time the Liberal left, or other denominations of South African Jewry, has been derided and dismissed by the mainstream community in South Africa. Since 2005, the South African Jewish community has been marked by consistent attacks of Jewish denominations that fall outside the mainstream of conventional South African Orthodoxy. The reform movement in South Africa has suffered from dwindling influence, in no short amount due to the continued intolerance and delegitimising of their movement by the Orthodox Rabbinate. Youth movements, who espouse either liberalism, secularism or reform Judaism, have been removed from the sight of schoolchildren, creating an insularity and anti-pluralist approach in the youth. In addition, the orthodox movement has commandeered all Zionist observance on a communal level. This has denied other denominations of Judaism the ability to support Israel in a communal setting and has alienated a fair number of secular or reform intellectuals.

Therefore, this writer finds it unsurprising that the community has become polarized into a liberal left that is critical of Israel and a religious right that is devoted to the state. In recent years, the community mechanisms of South African Jewry, especially in Johannesburg, have sought to isolate communal Zionism by keeping it contained in the narrow framework of Religious Zionism. This has led to an alienation of liberal, secular and reform Jews resulting in a situation where a number of people are unwilling to stand with the community view on the situation in the Middle East.

How can our community leaders propose to speak as one voice for the South African Jewish Community when all they have shown themselves to be are proponents of internal division and dischord? The leaders of our community need to wake up and recognise the damage that has been done to communal unity by the continued alienation of other denominations of Jewry. If our leaders expect the community to be united forIsrael and against Anti-Semitism, they need to put up a rallying banner to every denomination and bring people back into the community fold in a way which suits the individual, in a way that is not limited by narrow constructions of orthodoxy.

In conclusion, it is apparent that the Jewish community in South Africa is at a clear crossroads, especially with regards to uniting communal support for the State of Israel. Just like Israel, it is faced with a Catch 22. The community leadership can either continue to suppress and show intolerance towards the other denominations and beliefs that exist within the community, or they can rally communal support for the many important issues we face by being inclusive and tolerant of alternative approaches to Judaism, but in doing so compromise their all-encompassing control of the mainstream. This writer votes for the latter.

El Hermo's Century

Well, I've done it. I've reached 100 blog posts. No small feat I might add, considering that I am not a dedicated full - time writer. This has been an achievement three years in the making.

I'll give a brief bio:

I started blogging in October 2005 - My first blog was called "El Hermo's den of despair". It was a depressing, sad blog but i loved it like a sick puppy. But, eventually, it had to be put down.

My blog was immediately resurrected in the form of "Casa Del Hermo", a much brighter more positive blog that became home to my expressions and my written voice.

In Year 1, I was writing about 7 posts monthly - inspired by my studies in English Literature and my lameness. In Years 2 and 3, the process slowed as I fell out of the Arts and into the working world.

But i've kept the posts ticking over.

So here I am - at post 100. I still love my blog.

Here are links to my El Hermo's Top 5 Blog posts (in no particular order of preference):

1. Rubber Bullets - My Resistance Ode. My faithful readers will know how I pride myself on dissent to the hegemon!! At least, this poem made me popular.
2. Extreme Smoking - This semi-biographical piece gives you insight into the insanity that is my life! Definitely one of my big favourites!
3. Cracked - The most serious poem i've written in three years...can't fault me for trying :)
4. The Cross-Blog Debate - Love this one - Mach 3 and El Hermo engage in an online debate for the ages, which ended in a crushing defeat for M3 at the hands of my poetic mastery. Read blogs in the following order: Resistance; Menshivik Rebuttal; and Bolshevik Obliteration.
5. A New Dawn - Substantial facebook buzz, a fiery blog war, and pro-obama. Its just got everything!

Thanks for reading, dudes!
To 100 more - but it'll probably only happen in like 10 years :P

Peace
El Hermo

A New Dawn

There are certain moments that are worthy of a blog. Sometimes these moments are personal and limited in their scope to an individual, and in other times, these moments are global, of unlimited scope and broad interest. Today’s moment was a bit of both.

One such moment occurred this morning. I awoke at 5:45 with my TV remote control ready at my side with the satellite channel already set to CNN. I flicked it on, and within fifteen minutes, the world and myself, received the news that the United States of America had elected it first Black president. The myth had been shattered, and conventional expectations, once strongly resisted, crumbled before my very eyes. Its first Black President. It was a huge moment – an event for which I had been eagerly waiting since my interest was gripped by the story of this individual and this American election.

As a young liberal with a recently developed grounding in post-modernist thought, I have come to resist hegemony and monolithic thought in the way that it impacts on my life. As a young South African Jew, I have a strong held belief that many of my peers and the majority of my community have allowed themselves to be trapped by outdated and monolithic ideologies that shape their perceptions of race, religion and the world at large.

About four years ago, when I was more civically involved, I had believed that the time was nearing for us, the youth, to come to our own conclusions about issues significant to our identities. I believed that if we could make these decisions freed from the dominance of our traditional backgrounds, we could play a role in reshaping the world in a way that is inclusive of all groups, but understanding of the key differences that endemic to groups of people the world over.

Well, I’m no Obama…that’s for sure. I had a message – but couldn’t communicate it effectively, and inflicted more damage than good. But what I’ve realized today is that my message wasn’t uniquely mine. Rather, it was a vision shared by people who were tired of the blinkers that traditional ideology had espoused and who craved a new dawn to do things differently. It was a message that came from a frustration that the world did not belong to us and that it was controlled by the older generation.

Why should we let ourselves be governed by fears and insecurities that go back 60 years?
Why should we accept behaviours, ideologies and beliefs that are passed down, as opposed to accepted conscientiously?

For once, the American example is right. It applies to our situation even now, even here, wherever and whenever we are. Obama said, “This is our moment. This is our time.” I disagree with him. Our moment is not only now, but also forever. Our time is not only today, but also tomorrow, the next day and years into the future. Obama’s success has shown that we should never lose doubt in our ability to make an impact, or effect change, or change our minds, or go against the norms, or do anything.

This moment is inspiring, because change is positive and because perceptions are meant to shatter and be reconfigured with every new generation. This moment is meaningful, because the hope and tears that came with that moment was symbolic of a major paradigm shift in eyes of many. This moment was poignant for me because I have refound my belief in the masses, and their ability to make up their own minds without being shackled to ideologies that have been passed down from generation to generation. And most importantly, for once and maybe forever, people can comfortably redefine their beliefs to suit their situations and be accepted, renowned or elected for doing so.

Supersweet.

Owsome vibes

I would like to say that the heavy songstress of New Orleans sang a heavy song that soared beyond the crowd, weightless.

I would like to say that the smelly cheesemaker churned some smelly cheese in his place of work that smells like cheese.

I would like to say something else as well, but that seems like something I would like to say....which means I probably shouldn't say it.

I would like to say something that someone else has already said.

Thats not too difficult, yo.
Thats the easiest way, yo.
Its also pretty Owsome.

A Tale of Harmless Mutiny

I've been following with interest a story that has been bubbling under in the Community. A story of a young man, named Daniel (aka the Danimal), who so happens to be my friend and intellectual ally. Daniel has written an article for a Columbia University Journal on Jewish Life called "The beloved country: Minority Politics and South African Jewry", which can be found at the following address: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/current/articles/summer2008/greenberg.html.

Without getting into a detailed analysis of the article, suffice it to say, that the piece focuses on the current South African climate and the implications that issues like Crime, Hiv/Aids and Zimbabwe have for South African Jewry. However, it also lays some blame on the role, or lack thereof, that the Jewish Board of Deputies has played, with their major focus, as Dan argues, being on the protection and sustainability of the Jewish Community within this climate, as opposed to leading Jewry towards working to the greater good of South African Society. Daniel says that a silent acceptance of Government policy, and a general fear of what involvement means for the well being of South African Jewry, is a key factor in South Africa being a potentially inhospitable country for Jews.

What is most interesting about this article is the response that it has garnered. The article has recieved 4000 hits, and responses have been recieved from, ex and current South African, who for the most part have engaged in a civil manner with Daniel's argument. However, most compelling is the response that Daniel's article has recieved from the Board itself. The one form of response that I will mention in this article, and which rang alarm bells for me, is that at a recent lecture launching a historical picture book on South African Jewry, Daniel Greenberg's name was mentioned by a representative of the board in the context of being one of those who criticise the board. Daniel, who is a 20 year old student at Columbia University in New York, was signalled in public as an outspoken critic of the work that the board does. For those look to the leadership of the Board for direction, the member's statement immediately shapes Dan into the enemy, the outsider, for having a view that is contrary and different to the idea that the Board has done a century of sterling work in securing the community in the national context.

I will concede that the board has done well in turning Johannesburg into a thriving centre of Jewish orthodoxy, that they have done much to ensure the continued wealth and security of the community. However, I would like to share Daniel's opinion that the board has not done enough to work towards the greater benefit of South African society. The Board has not done enough to mobilise Jewry towards making a marked difference in society, and has not done enough to mobilise rich Jewish businessman to invest their money in effective service delivery to the poor as opposed to investing in religious organisations and Jewish outreach programs. True, the board has responded to short term problems such as the Boxing Day Tsunami and Xenophobic Violence, but in the lack of any other considered contribution to South Africa, how can this be seen as anything more than a large scale public relations exercise?

In fact, the Board's obession with public relations is the only thing they are really good at. They are superb at scouring newspapers, websites and e-mails for anything that dare offer an alternative view or criticism, and use underhanded, humiliating tactics to alienate their own, especially future gems like Daniel Greenberg, who is one of the 3 founding editors of "Consilience", the first ever Sustainable Development journal to ever appear in the American college circuit and has the backing of renowned economists like Jeffrey Sachs and others.

So, here I am - a 23 year old Jewish change management consultant, putting my voice and support behind a 20 year old Jewish student at Columbia University, standing in opposition to a Communal Leadership that wishes to alienate those who offer an alternative view, through tactics of gossip and public humiliation. Call me a pariah, call me a Board Basher, gossip about me, speak about me in public, do what you will - I will use my voice to declare that I want to live in a community that engages with the issues of its constituents in a mature and well thought out manner, that reflects on criticism, does what it can to address social ills, and isn't obsessed solely with Public Relations.

Why? Because Daniel rocks....and y'all should recognise.

Freestyles for the benefit of everyone but Mr. Kite

The three of us are hiking in slip-slops through the forests of Port St. John in the Transkei, accompanied by a dreadlocked local, armed only with a quality walking stick, and more importantly, a pair of white takkies, probably purchased from the local Pick ‘n Save. His name is Richard, and he walks ahead, the route ahead imagined by the map of his soul.

As we walk, he talks to us about his town, the town where he and his family come from, that holds the golden key to his future. “Tourists like you”, he says as we walk, “you are coming here more and more. If I am able to share with these people my life here, then I will make money…I will make money doing what I love.”

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No hard theory. I do not wake up in the morning. I emerge from slumber through pure biology. Granted, my alarm clock helps me out slightly – but for the most part, it seems as if I am innately gifted in the art of assuming the exact amount of time that I need in order to get myself in motion. It’s a primal thing, and therefore, not the most difficult concept to grasp.

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the round webcam is staring at me
perched on top of the black screen
like a hawk

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Let us talk of happier times, when brilliant green trees lit up the streets like lanterns in the daylight, and a scissor rim orange beetle blazed on the tar road like a phoenix risen from a scrapheap.

drones in the hood

drones in the hood
chopping some wood
chop chop chop
till the tree does drop

drones with no souls
carving out holes
in the chopped wood
down in the hood

boyyyyyyyyyy

Galvanise

I haven't written a note or political blog for quite some time, but i have been watching with interest numerous debates around facebook whose primary focus is the WITS student protests currently taking place on main campus. I also should say now that i'm not trying to capitalise on the debates of others for personal gain - but am hopeful of bringing a different perspective to the party.

Let me just signpost my position:
1) I am not on main campus, therefore my lectures have not been disrupted.
2) I have a vague idea about what the protests are about, but i have got the general gist that they are protesting fee increases.
3) I have heard stories about Vigilantism from affected students involving mace being sprayed and classes being evacuated - but seriously, that is about all i know about the real impact on the ground. I am trapped in a bubble at the WITS Business School and am sadly, and ashamedly, out of touch.

I remember when I was in 2nd year or so, that a similar protest took place on campus. I remember the toyi toying, police standing menacingly with their riot gear, students marching through campus, class disruptions. It all happened then, and I remember it clearly. I thought it was all rather exciting. It was a real protest, a demonstration by a group of people united on the basis of a common idea. That idea had merit, even if that merit didn't apply to me and my economic situation - and I wasn't frightened by the "Riots" - rather, I was emboldened by it.

I thought to myself, these people are actually making a stand. Misguided or not, they were standing up for what they hold true, and that, in my eyes then, was a noteworthy and respectable endeavour.

However, time and experience since that point has shown me, that this notion of standing up for beliefs that key groups of people either disagree with or couldn't care less about it - is not seen to be respectable or noteworthy. For these key groups, to stand up is an insult, an attack that challenges them forthright and draws them further and deeper back into their deeply entrenched and self centred views.

It is apparent to me, at least, that young South Africans should start waking up to the positive role that peaceful, mass protest can play in society. It can enable the individual to make a difference by uniting him with people who feel similar injustice. Not to say that vandalism or disruption of lectures is fine...its not at all. But to condemn the entire protest on the basis of a few people who get swept up in the euphoria of unity, which seems to have happened, stems primarily from ignorance, and also a non-attempt to empathise with these people and their point of view.

But then again, who am I to say this? I'm not involved and off campus. I've had a full education, postgrad and all - I've never needed the support of the university to create affordable fees...I'm sorted! But, I would advise people to be more mindful of the plight of other people and their rights to vent their anger and frustration - because who knows when one day we might have to unite and protest an injustice against ourselves...

An Exercise in Futility

Its overcast outside. Builder's bash at my neighbours house. I hear sledgehammers, non stop, incessant. The clanging reverberates through my house like a concrete gong.

As a result, my concentration flags. In front of me, two seven hundred page textbooks are open. Yellow and green post its poke through the pages like jagged shards of glass. As the threat of paper cut takes a new and much more disturbing meaning, I realise that I can no longer concentrate. I stand up. I look down at my books. I sit down. I look up at the portrait of Magneto on my wall.

And then, I give up.

Is the Juice worth the squeeze?

As the year ends, I look back at a year of paced blogging - not nearly enough to keep Casa Del Hermo on the cutting edge.

This saddens me - I have a lot of stuff written on here.

I'm just not really feeling this whole vibe at the moment...

And so, another meaningless post to keep the posts ticking.