Joe growing in understanding

I finally believe that I understand what it means to live in South Africa, and specifically in the city of Cape Town. Though there are so many forms of injustice taking place throughout the country, there is always a sign of positivity. For example, though there are many problems with the immigration policies of South Africa, it is amazing to see the diligent work that people like my co-workers at the Cape Town Refugee Centre put in to help to benefit their situation. For years, the country has made it difficult for refugees to obtain full legal citizenship in the country, this is mostly a problem pertaining to economic power because the wealthy are trying to keep refugees in an oppressed state so they will perform manual labor for lesser rates. This is similar to the situation with immigrants in the United States, we will continue to ignore their human rights so that wealthy elitists can continue to benefit from their status.

Another part of the country that influences me to continue to persevere through hard times is Table Mountain. Climbing the mountain was somewhat symbolic to me that of the struggle that the blacks went through during apartheid. They worked extremely hard to find that equal plane but since then have not continue to look up or down, but they have plateau, like the top of the mountain. There is still so much work to be done, and it’s a long way until South Africans reach actual equality but at least they have stable ground to stand on, and that can never be overstated.