Inside Apartheid South Africa: A Personal Narrative

The cacophony was undeniable as I recalled the history of South African courage and looming similarities between the present U.S. and former National Party governments. Donna Ruth Brenneis My 1988 documentation of "Inside South Africa" resurfaced in July 2017 when I heard the hammering of apartheid at my Central California door. During the 20th century, I did not make comparisons between the two countries on different continents. I discovered the hard way that drawing parallels never was a good idea. However, the blasting clamor of the 21st century persisted in factual news reports, too many tweets from #45, investigations, millennial intellect, huge protest marches, contradictory statements made public, television, radio and social media. As comedians scoop up daily political material, I watch a transformation taking place - for good and evil, remembering human rights activist Kumi Naidoo saying, ..".we won the battle against apartheid because we built the broadest possible alliances." With the small publication of Inside Apartheid South Africa (1988) in 2017, my questions are, what similarities do readers observe, if any. What is and is not possible in my own country? The U.S. is analogous and yet quite different when compared to South Africa, but it is the likenesses drawing me in so deeply. My initial journey to the African Continent nearly thirty years ago was an extraordinary experience that changed my life - again. Perhaps this personal story will add to discussions as we read or reexamine the unfolding of history. I am certain we need all the links to our past in order to effect a more compassionate and evenhanded future.

• | Author: Donna Brenneis
• | Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• | Publication Date: Dec 12, 2017
• | Number of Pages: 42 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback
• | ISBN-10: 154687917X
• | ISBN-13: 9781546879176