{"id":573,"date":"2022-04-27T06:39:39","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T04:39:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zimkitamabindla.co.za\/?p=573"},"modified":"2022-07-06T09:21:12","modified_gmt":"2022-07-06T07:21:12","slug":"ethics-part-iii-2-but-where-did-this-moral-degeneration-come-from","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zimkitamabindla.co.za\/?p=573","title":{"rendered":"Ethics Part III.2 – But where did this moral degeneration come from?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

\u201cLife is filled with grey areas. Our principles, however, must always be black and white. Let’s apply black and white principles to the grey areas. We\u2019ll be in trouble if we apply grey principles to grey areas.<\/em>\u201d My young brother uttered these words during one of our discussions and they were immediately etched in my mind. I often remember this quote when I think about the intended victims of oppressive systems mentioned in the previous article<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that article, I appealed to all of us, especially the beneficiaries of the unfair systems to cultivate self-awareness. But does this self-awareness stop with the beneficiaries of the systems?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before I answer this question, I\u2019ll go back to the lessons learned from the Supervisor, published in Part II<\/a> of this series. He advised intended victims to \u2013 \u201ccheck [their] resentment<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d Unchecked resentment, he says, will turn victims into even more vicious perpetrators of unfairness and injustice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Part II, I detailed how I remembered this lesson and applied it in my own life.  However, does it apply on a bigger scale? Does it apply in ways that lead victims to becoming even more vicious perpetrators of moral degeneration? Are there any grey areas that require black and white principles?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To demonstrate how important and credible this lesson is on a bigger scale, I will use one sensitive phenomenon<\/em><\/strong>. With this example I hope to clearly get the message across about the grave dangers (plural) of former victims\u2019 unchecked resentment. I will then build up on this example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From victims to perpetrators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It happens every year, especially in January when schools re-open in South Africa. The advent of social media has amplified it. Huge numbers of sad, desperate, despondent, defeated – mostly black women<\/em><\/strong>, young and old posting heart-breaking stories of how black fathers aren\u2019t paying maintenance for the kids the two brought into this world. He is financially able, middle class, drives expensive cars. He goes to the best restaurants. He drinks expensive alcohol. He wears imported brands. He just won\u2019t pay maintenance for his own children. It\u2019s a strange phenomenon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The posts are heart-breaking. The messages differ but the acute desperation and heartbreak remains. They start with a statement akin to, \u201cI wouldn\u2019t ask, you know I\u2019d never ask. Our children \/ child need(s) money for uniform and school fees for just one term. I have done everything possible, and finally I have decided to ask you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The responses from the other parent are usually dismissive, downright cruel or sarcastic.  The money for the children \/ child\u2019s basic need for education, food, medical care, and shelter never materialises. He intentionally and deliberately chooses<\/em><\/strong> to continue disinvesting in the capacity and capability <\/em>of his children and would rather heavily invest in expensive consumable, perishable products. The mind boggles!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is this example important? To answer we need to rewind to South Africa\u2019s history towards its black citizens and talk about apartheid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The history of Apartheid (\u201cApartness\u201d)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many years, the majority of South Africans were the \u201cintended victims\u201d of the most unethical, violent, immoral and wicked system \u2013 apartheid. Until today, millions of these victims live with the dire consequences envisioned and executed by system\u2019s strategists, designers and architects \u2013 The Takers<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system was designed to take the country\u2019s resources from the intended victims and give them to the Takers and secondary beneficiaries. The most severely affected intended victims<\/em> \u2013 black South Africans \u2013 were to receive the crumbs of the resources and benefits. Mostly just to keep them above the destitution line. For the purposes of this article and for young people, I try and simplify the system\u2019s workings. There is, however, a wealth of information available to understand the deep workings of this system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From well documented evidence, my own lived personal experiences and observing the experiences of fellow victims, the strategy was very simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aggressively disinvest in the intended victims\u2019 capacity and capabilities. Infuse them with a sense of perpetual self-doubt. Preclude them from growing, developing, and earning. Contain them as much as possible in designated areas, within the country, so that they will forever believe that the sole purpose of their existence was to serve the Takers as lowly paid labourers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This disinvestment took many forms, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n