Racism and xenophobia: The role of the Church in South Africa

Jerry Pillay

doi:10.4102/ve.v38i3.1655

Abstract

Racism and xenophobia have become a worldwide issue and challenge. The recent flood of immigrants and refugees into Europe and America has put this matter on the world map. In South Africa racism and xenophobia have, in recent times, reached explosive proportions and have greatly intensified the need for the Church to get more deeply involved in the creation of racial harmony and peace as it works towards the fullness of life for all people. This chapter explored the challenges of racism and xenophobia in South Africa and concluded by discussing the role of the Church in combating these realities.

Highlights

In an article titled Difference and inequality, Howard Winant points out that the United States of America (USA) faces a pervasive crisis of race, a crisis no less severe than those which the country has confronted in the past
The recent flood of immigrants and refugees into Europe and America has put this matter on the world map
J., 1995, I was looking at the Ceiling and I saw the Sky, Scribner, New York

Summary

Introduction

In an article titled Difference and inequality, Howard Winant points out that the United States of America (USA) faces a pervasive crisis of race, a crisis no less severe than those which the country has confronted in the past (in Cross & Keith 1993:108). To address the evils of racism in South Africa transformation must be energised by economic redistribution, social redress and political balance This is precisely the challenge, while we have managed well to address some issues we have not been successful in getting to the heart of the matter. Xenophobia is directly linked to racism and ethnicity when institutionalised measures are undertaken to protect the rights and interest of the ‘in-group’ against the development of the ‘out-group’ In this sense, it can be directly related to the South African policy of apartheid which entrenched the protection of white privilege against the majority black people. While the cultural aspect may be an element to the xenophobia attacks in South Africa, it is not as dominant as the economic reason. We shall turn to look at the role of the Church in addressing racism and xenophobia

What can the Church do to address racism and xenophobia?

Conclusion