Greetings everyone,

Today is the 14th day in South Africa. As we are in Johannesburg, we have visited two museums today. The museums are Constitution Hill and Apartheid museum. When we arrive to Constitution Hill, we were able to visited variety areas. The Old Fort building was a prison for white people only during apartheid time. Originally, this place was for white people only but Nelson Mandela had his own prison cell because government had suspected him planning to escape prison at Robben Island so they put him there. Another area is called Number 4 and it also called "Native Prison". This section were the prison cells for black men. Couple well known black men had stayed in this section such as Gandhi and Robert Sobukwe. In the middle of Constitution Hill, there was old building with stairwell call "Flame of Democracy". In 2012, the Flame of Democracy was lit to celebrating 15th year anniversary of signing South Africa's constitution. Another side of this building had women section called "Women Gaol", which it was founded in 1910. This building had designed as Victoria-style. Also, it had separate sections for whites and other races. After that, we visited the Awaiting Trail Block and it was building in 1928. The purpose of this area was to hold black prisoners while they are waiting for their trail. The meals for each prisoner were variety based on their races. White prisoners get more food and proteins while colored and black prisoners had less. The solitary confinement "Deep Dark Hole" is a section where prisoners had punishment by stay in dark room alone for 23 hours every day and could stuck there for more than year. During that time, we were able to witness one school group boys experience what it like to be a prisoner by wearing uniform and follow police orders. This place feels like we were in maze trying to find variety sections.

As we get ready to enter Apartheid museum, our group were divided based on our races but opposite perspective. There was classification either Non- Whites or White. As we walk through the museum, white people have privilege by walking on ramp while colored have to use stairs. There was an area where mirrors of different races express their feeling. Apartheid became official word after there was an act of segregation and force against races in South Africa. Hendrik Verwoerd was the one who developed the word "Apartheid". When white people had disagreement with apartheid, they took action and being part of progressive party by taking opposition to the National Party. The National party believed that South Africa should re-united by have white people only. Apartheid had spread in South Africa after they had independence from British in 1961. The life under apartheid in 1960's was a decade of boom and unprecedented prosperity for white South Africans while blacks view it as hardship and struggles. After the apartheid end, more people have died during protests or negotiation with government. In mid 1990's, there was a Truth and Reconciliation Commission where victims and predators express their feeling during apartheid. During that time, all tragic evidences have found more after police or people who had power confess what they did. From that, people are hoping to remember apartheid but change for better in future. The solution to prevent to make sure apartheid never happen again by have system law enforced and better bill of rights in South Africa. This museum had impacted me because it makes me think how each country had their own problem and people going through traumatic events in variety ways.

~ Precious Schwartz

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Comments:

Wanda Kelley: I'm glad you got that experience, Precious.

Crystal Schwartz: Wow... you're right, this is impactful when you described the segregation that happened and through mock activities to help those "feel" what it's like to have privileges or not. The deep dark hole was like war for those who survived it, many suffered severe PTSD because of it. Amazing how the museum kept tragic evidence to show that it's not just a story, but that it really happened. I can imagine the impact it had on you all. 14 days already and few more days to come to grab more experiences while you are there. Love you, Precious! Stay safe, everyone.

Leah Arroyo: Wonderful to hear you got this great experience. It was also I just learned something from your blog. Be Safe and enjoy the rest of your journey in South Africa.

Claire Bugen: It's amazing what you can learn from this kind of experience. Makes us more committed to have respect and love for all. What a great trip.