****** in the workplace

To the nurse at Mediclinic Stellenbosch/ Whoever that is willing to listen

Last night lying in one of the mediclinic cubicals a friendly, elderly, caucasian nurse walked into my cubical to take a blood test. I was there because I realised I had Tape Worm. We small talked for a while about nothing too important. She asked me if I wash my hands regularly, live with animals, where I buy my meat etc. and then she whispered into my ear “Jy’s die eerste blanke persoon wat ek al teёgekom het met hierdie probleem, moenie aanstood neem nie”.

The lady just supposed that because I am white and afrikaans it excused her of saying something so disrespectful and ****** softly into my ear. I woke up this morning with the realization that not only was she in the wrong for saying that, but I was for not calling her out on it. Too many times have I let ****** comments pass me by because they utter from the mouths of my elders, but not anymore. This acceptance of elderly people saying ****** comments because ‘they are so stuck in their ways’ is completely out of line. If you stand against ******, you should stand against it no matter what form, no matter who from, no matter in what context.

I respect my elders and always have, but if you are a South African (in any form, any race, any gender, any religion) you have the responsibility to evolve just as our society has. If you have not at this point: go learn, let yourself be taught, open your ears. Nobody has the right to stop bettering themselves, no matter your age.

****** is still a very big problem in our country. It comes in every form, but I’d like to highlight that allowing something ****** to utter from your mouth behind closed doors is still ******.

To the nurse that whispered those words to me last night, on the 17th of October, please go educate yourself of the importance of equality in our country. Each and every one of us need to take a stand and not one of us have been excused from this calling. It’s never too late to learn a little more, further our boundaries and create a better society every single day.

A fellow South African