Read the following case study and then answer the following questions: Discuss the racial and cultural dimensions of the case and discuss how the dynamics of difference, race, ethnicity, and power affected the client? Also, discuss how the behaviors and problems for which they are seeking help related to ethnicity and racism?
Case study is the New York Times opinion column tilted : The Roots of Afrikaner Rage by Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela.
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/10/opinion/the-roots-of-afrikaner-rage.html
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Racial and Cultural Dimensions in “The Roots of Afrikaner Rage”
Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela’s opinion column, “The Roots of Afrikaner Rage,” delves into the complex racial and cultural dynamics that have deeply affected the Afrikaner community in South Africa. This case study predominantly revolves around the experiences and perspectives of the Afrikaner community, shedding light on the historical and contemporary implications of race, ethnicity, and power dynamics.
Impact of Difference, Race, Ethnicity, and Power on the Client
The Afrikaner community has historically held a position of power and privilege in South Africa, particularly during the era of apartheid. However, with the dismantling of apartheid and the transition to a democratic society, the Afrikaner population experienced a significant shift in their societal status and power dynamics. This shift led to a sense of displacement, loss, and perceived marginalization among many Afrikaners, contributing to feelings of anger, frustration, and a struggle to reconcile their past with the evolving socio-political landscape.
The racial and cultural dimensions of the case are deeply intertwined with the legacy of apartheid, which institutionalized racial discrimination and segregation based on ethnicity. This historical context has profoundly shaped the Afrikaner identity and its relationship with other racial and ethnic groups in South Africa. The dynamics of difference, race, and power have thus affected the client by instilling a sense of alienation, loss of privilege, and a struggle to navigate their place in a transformed society where they no longer hold unchecked authority.
Behaviors and Problems Related to Ethnicity and Racism
The behaviors and problems for which the Afrikaner community may be seeking help are intrinsically linked to ethnicity and racism. The legacy of apartheid has left deep-seated wounds within the Afrikaner community, fostering feelings of resentment and disillusionment. The loss of political and social dominance has led to a sense of disempowerment and alienation, contributing to a sense of victimhood and anger among some Afrikaners. This manifests as a struggle to come to terms with their identity in a post-apartheid South Africa and a resistance to acknowledging historical injustices perpetrated by the apartheid regime.
The experiences of the Afrikaner community also reflect the broader dynamics of ethnicity and racism in South African society. The interplay between different ethnic groups, historical injustices, and social hierarchies has contributed to enduring tensions and complexities. The client’s struggles are rooted in navigating their place within this intricate web of racial and ethnic relations, as well as addressing the historical legacy of racism and discrimination that continue to reverberate through present-day realities.
In conclusion, “The Roots of Afrikaner Rage” underscores the profound impact of racial and cultural dimensions on the experiences and challenges faced by the Afrikaner community in South Africa. The case highlights the intricate interplay of difference, race, ethnicity, and power dynamics that have shaped the client’s worldview and emotional well-being. Moreover, it underscores the deep-rooted nature of ethnic struggles and racism within post-apartheid South Africa’s societal fabric, emphasizing the need for empathy, understanding, and inclusive dialogue to address these complex issues effectively.
