We’d have sweet stalls at recess- lots of hard toffees that you would hide in your dress pocket to finish at lunchtime, or coin chains down the corridors, or free dress days- we loved free dress days.

In Year 12, our VCE English theme was ‘Justice.’ We looked at tolerance, understanding, peace and, naturally, injustice. We spent a good half of the year looking at South Africa. We discussed apartheid and we cheered when Mandela was released. We watched all the South African protest films (I still have images of the Steve Biko film in my head) and we were angry. I was angry. I wanted change. I could see how wrong it was to have a country ruled by people that segregated people by the colour of their skin.

I remember cheering when sanctions were lifted from South African sporting sides- standing ovations at Olympic and Commonwealth Games opening ceremonies, cricket tours and of course rugby.

And Mandela was elected president. I followed this and was proud as a human being. But then reports started coming out of South Africa- crime and poverty. And I ignored it- the fight to end apartheid had been won. This was the new South Africa- the Rainbow Nation. Rainbows conjured up happiness and an end to rain. Hope and sunshine.

And I met the gorgeous MIML™. This amazing man who came to my country as he could not find work in his own. A refugee if you like. And again I found out more and more about today’s South Africa.

We visited the country last December and saw poverty. I was sneered at by black people because of the colour of my skin. And I head horror stories- the murder of (white) farmers ( at least 3,500 in the last 15 years) let alone other murders. A massive crime wave. An immense HIV problem. And a government that distinguishes people by not only the colour of their skin, but also their gender.

MIML™s grandparents, both hard working people their who lives unable to access social security because of the colour of their skin. MIML™s sister unemployed after seeing some horrendous things in her time in the Police Force. MIML™s parents both working hard living in a modest house, not sure how they will cope with retirement. Friends whose house was invaded when we were there- they were not harmed, but all their possessions stolen.

We heard of other sickening events- the torture of some people before they are murdered- penises cut off and watching their wives gang raped. The torture of children. So much hate.

And now in the last couple of weeks we read about the murder of a white nationalist. Yes, he was a twat, but no one deserves to be tortured and murdered. And the talk is of the white nationalists whilst black nationalists like Julius Malema chant to kill the Boers.

I can understand the hatred of black people who were segregated and downtrodden for so many years, but did I fight for this? Did the western world in the 80s fight to see what South Africa is doing to itself today? What can be done now? Shall we continue the circle and turn our anger to action? What action is needed? What can I do? I ask myself if blogging helps. I have a small readership and hope that perhaps this post may cause others to think about the situation in South Africa- to go and read more. To find some South African bloggers and read first hand what others are experiencing, be they black, white, purple, green or blue! Racism has no colour. It is just hatred. The hate has to stop.

MIML™s family don’t want to leave their country, yet we are planning to help them escape if/when it is needed. Perhaps reading blogs is subjective. Perhaps these are people overplaying what is happening? It is sad to think some are hoping the Soccer World Cup brings a violent head to it all so the world takes notice.

I have deliberately not added links in this article. There are some good bloggers out there. Google and ye shall find! I want to break the circle. I want to be able to take my kids back to visit the most beautiful country. I want people to learn from what has happened in Zimbabwe. I want the violence to stop. Imagine.

Lots of things have been angering me- a woman standing trial over an abortion, ongoing racism in South Africa (from both blacks and whites), footy club members being denied tickets to Grand Finals over corporate sponsors… Well maybe the last one isn’t that important in the scheme of things, but still…

But the thing that has been angering me the most is how people are getting away with what I term IQism, or perceived intellectual superiority. People think nothing of leaving facebook comments (for instance!) saying ‘dumb people shouldn’t be allowed to breed’ or ‘dumb people piss me off.’ But replace the dumb with black or white or Christian or Muslim or Athiest…

There has been some research on intelligence and genetics. Not every child will have the intelligence level of their parents. I know! Hard to believe, isn’t it! And it goes both ways.

Some people do make dumb decisions. And they need to have these decisions pointed out to them. But they don’t need to be ridiculed. They don’t need their children to be tarred with the same brush. They don’t need to be told they should be sterilised.

Interesting isn’t it that a woman can be charged with aborting an unwanted embryo or foetus because she made a decision that she was not ready to become a parent and is now facing trial, yet if she had not made that decision and brought an unwanted child into the world and not coped as a parent she would have been told she shouldn’t have bred.

And for Aussies who complain that we have compulsory voting, remember it is only compulsory to turn up to a polling place on election day. What you do with your vote is up to you. No one stands there with a gun at your head and tells you who to vote for. Democracy means choice. Hey- some of my best friends vote Liberal

If I have followed instructions correctly, there is a script that I have added to my blog for today that simulates how it might be seen by readers in China.

I have signed this pledge:

and urge all readers to do likewise.