Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Ra Ra's - Taking the bok out


Given the recent US Presidential election, it would be fair to say that Obama and the plight of African Americans has been the recent global focus of racial equality. This is of course justified, indeed the election was a landmark in world history, but this focus has negated the impact of the racial debates currently consuming South African Rugby. For those of you unfamiliar with the issue, it largely centres on the South African Rugby Union’s continual use of the ‘Springbok’ emblem and mascot, a symbol of white power and apartheid to many in RSA – but a logo that has a tradition that dates back to the first ever national rugby side.

Whilst this issue would appear to be relatively small in comparison to other important racial issues, it is the culmination of a rift of much wider issue within RSA, namely the continual racial divide that exist post apartheid. Given my removed perspective my opinion is by no means extensively justified, but it would be fair to say that the SARU continued use of the Springbok in contrast to the use of the King Protea by all other national sides demonstrates a stark divergence from the rest of the nation in a sport traditionally associated with white South Africans. Whilst as somewhat of a historian (what little claims I have to that title), I can appreciate the place of the bok as a part of history in RSA, I believe that in this instance its historical importance is not fitting for the nations future development.

It is, as such, disappointing that so much of the debate around this issue has focused on peripheral points (sex scandal, Luke Watson’s position etc), diverting the focus of many from the key points. I have taken a few key points out of this that I think are important, they are:

- That racism continues throughout the world (especially in Australia), issues such as this are needed to expose underlying problems in order to seek resolutions.
- The media play such an important role in these issues – I would like to see the demographic of the RSA press to get a better understanding of why this has played itself out like it has
- To play the game, not the man

Today it was announced that the side would no longer use the emblem (here). I think it will be interesting to watch how this plays itself out in the coming weeks.

No comments: