Please Cut And Paste Into The Comments Box And Respond There

Please Cut And Paste Into The Comments Box And Respond Therewatch Gui

Please cut and paste into the Comments Box and respond there. Watch Guide Cry Freedom Cry Freedom was released in 1987 while Apartheid was still the law of the land in South Africa. Primarily shot in Zimbabwe, this film introduced many to the story of Steve Biko, who founded the Black Consciousness Movement. Most of us are familiar with different aspects of Nelson Mandela’s work for equality throughout South Africa. This film powerfully depicts how power can be misused to subjugate people, and how our innate fear of “otherness” can lead to segregation, either explicitly or implicitly.

While you watch, please consider the following questions:

- What does Donald Woods originally believe about Steven Biko’s writings on “Black Consciousness?”

- What changes his “liberal” attitudes?

- What are the limits that the South African government puts on Steve Biko in an effort to lessen his impact on the consciousness of his country? How is he able to avoid them? What are the risks he faces, and ultimately experiences?

- Why are the Afrikaners so threatened by the Black Consciousness Movement?

- How do they justify such restrictive laws against 90% of their country’s population?

- How do they explain black activists’ deaths in custody?

- Why does Woods’s own white government turn against him and his family?

- Why do you believe the Afrikaner soldier fires into the crowd of schoolchildren in Soweto? It’s easy to believe that this is something that happens somewhere else. Is that true?

- How have you seen limits placed on the “others” in our own community?

Follow up: While considered very historically accurate, most legitimate criticism of Cry Freedom regards how it primarily portrays the white editor’s experience more so than the black African’s. I would add that it does not reflect Wendy Wood.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

“Cry Freedom,” released in 1987, remains a significant cinematic portrayal of the apartheid era in South Africa, focusing on the interplay between white liberal activism and the Black Consciousness Movement led by figures like Steve Biko. This film serves as a lens into the mechanisms of power, fear, and oppression that characterized apartheid, while also inviting viewers to reflect on the ongoing relevance of these themes in contemporary society.

Initial Beliefs and Transformation of Donald Woods

Donald Woods, a white South African editor, initially perceives Steve Biko’s writings on “Black Consciousness” as a threat to the liberal objectives of peaceful coexistence and racial reconciliation. Woods’ initial liberal stance is rooted in a belief that racial divisions can be transcended through education and diplomacy. However, witnessing the brutal suppression of Black activists and the repressive policies enacted by the apartheid government gradually shifts Woods’ perspective. His evolving understanding of systemic oppression and the dangers posed by white supremacist ideologies deepens his commitment to supporting Biko’s movement and advocating for justice (Lodge, 2001).

The Limits Imposed by the South African Government on Steve Biko

The apartheid regime perceives Biko as a direct threat to their authority and employs various restrictions, including banning and surveillance, to diminish his influence. Biko is prohibited from speaking publicly, writing freely, or organizing gatherings, effectively silencing his voice. Nonetheless, Biko employs strategies such as clandestine meetings, covert communication, and inspiring underground activism to bypass these restrictions. Despite these efforts, he faces immense risks, including harassment, imprisonment, and ultimately his death in custody, which underscores the perilous nature of resistance under apartheid (Seekings & Nattrass, 2005).

The Threat of the Black Consciousness Movement to Afrikaners

The Afrikaners, as the dominant racial group in apartheid South Africa, feel deeply threatened by the Black Consciousness Movement because it challenges the racial hierarchy and threatens their political dominance. The movement's emphasis on Black pride, self-reliance, and psychological liberation destabilizes the beliefs that underpinned apartheid’s racial segregation. To justify restrictive laws, the apartheid government propagates narratives that depict Black activism as violent and subversive, often citing the deaths of activists in custody as necessary sacrifices to maintain order. Moreover, fears of a unified Black opposition threaten the entire apartheid structure (Miller, 2016).

Legitimization of Oppressive Laws and Justifications

The apartheid regime rationalizes harsh laws—such as detention without trial and bans on political organizations—by framing Black activism as a communist conspiracy or a threat to national stability. The government claims that these measures are essential for security, disregarding the human rights violations involved. Deaths in custody, such as that of Steve Biko, are justified through narratives that delegitimize the victims and portray them as enemies of the state, thus maintaining the regime’s narrative of control and order (Mpofu, 2014).

Woods’ Turn Against the Government and Personal Risks

Initially supportive of apartheid-era policies, Donald Woods’ perspective changes as he witnesses the brutality inflicted on anti-apartheid activists. His exposure to the violence and injustice leads him to risk his career, safety, and reputation by speaking out against the regime. Despite threats to his life, Woods collaborates with anti-apartheid activists, risking imprisonment or worse. His actions exemplify the moral dilemma faced by white liberals caught between complacency and active resistance (Horsley, 1998).

The Soweto Massacre and Broader Implications

The deliberate shooting into the crowd of schoolchildren in Soweto symbolized the apartheid government’s ruthlessness in suppressing dissent. This event did not merely occur “somewhere else”; it reflected a broader pattern of violence used against oppressed communities globally to maintain power. In various societies, “others” frequently face limits through institutional violence, systemic discrimination, and social exclusion, often justified by false narratives and maintained through fearmongering.

Conclusion

The film “Cry Freedom” illuminates how power structures manipulate fears to perpetuate oppression, illustrating the personal and collective risks taken by those who challenge injustices. Although criticized for its focus on the white perspective, the film remains an essential reminder of the importance of resisting systemic inequalities. Recognizing the aspects of history it portrays critically enables us to reflect on ongoing struggles for racial justice and equality in our communities.

References

• Horsley, P. (1998). The Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Role of the British Liberal Press. Journal of Southern African Studies, 24(2), 295-312.
• Lodge, T. (2001). Sharpeville: An Unfinished Journey. Macmillan.
• Miller, M. (2016). The Decline of Apartheid: South Africa's Enduring Legacy. Routledge.
• The Politics of Memory and Reconciliation in Post-Apartheid South Africa. South African Journal of International Affairs, 21(1), 45-62.
• Seekings, J., & Nattrass, N. (2005). Class, Race, and Inequality in South Africa. Yale University Press.
• South African History Online. (n.d.). Black Consciousness Movement (BCM). Retrieved from https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/black-consciousness-movement-bcm
• Miller, M. (2016). The Decline of Apartheid: South Africa’s Enduring Legacy. Routledge.
• Mpofu, G. (2014). The Politics of Memory and Reconciliation in Post-Apartheid South Africa. South African Journal of International Affairs, 21(1), 45-62.
• Seekings, J., & Nattrass, N. (2005). Class, Race, and Inequality in South Africa. Yale University Press.
• Woods, D. (1987). Cry Freedom: The True Story. Jonathan Cape.