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By Beryl Spencer-Scarr (Impressions In Verse, 2004)
A thought about Black and white education in South Africa.
Lines 1-3 Children are uncontaminated by racism.
‘seed lying loosely on the ground’ – ease with which a white child can obtain education.
‘Planted it ceremoniously under the sun’ – glory and remuneration that is gained by a white educated child.
‘I sought the shade to do my learning in’ – how protected white education has been in S.A.
Last four lines are predictory. By discontent and perseverance the uneducated can rise above oppression.
As a child I played with my laughter friend in a mielie field.
Bombarding each other with clods of baked brown earth
Fighting the while, yet knowing when to yield
I picked up a seed lying loosely on the ground
And ceremoniously planted it under the sun.
The beams of light were strong and burnt my fair skin
So I sought the shade to do my learning in
While my black friend who from nature learned,
Nurtured the plant ‘till it grew strong and high.
Now the fruit is ripe and ready to eatAnd we fight for ownership under a blue sky.
1981
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