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Picture taken from www.daemonworship.org

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Light could be shown to exhibit the particle nature of matter. But different experiments also proved that light behaves as a wave.

The controversy was resolved by propounding the duality of light in which light is both a particle and a wave. Using the light analogy, could we be dealing with two sides of the same coin?

Human affairs are however complex. But the analogy calls for an appreciation of different perspectives. Protagonists on both sides of the controversy seem to rely on the same Bill of Rights.

Our history would demand a particular sensitivity in the exercise of these rights. When does the exercise of one's freedom of expression begin to violate another's human dignity? Under what condition is the violation of human dignity acceptable?

While a court of law would have to resolve these questions, the raging debate has been revealing and disappointing. Understandably, issues of race have come to the fore.

First, the debate has sought to limit the unflattering portrayal of Zuma as a personal matter.

Second, the debate is framed as depicting intolerance and ignorance by those protesting.

Third, protesters are presented as Zuma supporters.

Fourth, we are told that involvement in the struggle against apartheid necessarily immunises one from racism. An argument is that the artist is an equal opportunity offender as he has offended members of his racial group as well.

Considering the extent of the outrage involving organisations such as the Black Lawyers Association, it is evident that this is not a Zuma matter. As a matter of fact, some of those who are offended have little regard for both Zuma and the ANC.

For them, this portrait represents the latest in centuries-old denigration of black people. And most importantly, it is not that they do not appreciate the importance of freedom of speech in a democracy.

Their argument is that it should not come at the expense of tampering with one's human dignity.

As they put it, he who feels it knows it. Pain, denigration and hurt cannot be outsourced to those who do not know it.

Interestingly, one can turn this around and argue that the insensitivity comes from those who exhibit white supremacy and expect that everyone must march according to some western cultural drum.

It reflects a peculiar form of cultural superiority. It would seem that cultural diversity is acceptable as long as it is consistent with the dominant culture.

To this lot, nothing of value can be expected from Africans. The only Africans they respect, and who they parade routinely, are those who are trained to parrot their masters.

As I listened to English radio stations, the words of the African-American writer and journalist Walter Mosley kept on coming to me: "As far back as we can go there was a white face that we looked to for the sources of pain; the white man enslaved, the white man freed, the white man opened the school door, the white man tested me and found me lacking. The dynamic is the same."

It would seem to me that no amount of appeals to understand the hurt of those who feel insulted would work. We need to understand insults as a form of violence.

One hopes we can emerge from this controversy with the willingness to appreciate others' pain.

It is a call for cultural sensitivity not the type of arrogance that has come from the airwaves. This democracy belongs to all of us.

Seepe is a commentator and a consultant

Comments

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Sat May 25 13:35:51 SAST 2013 ::

May 30, 2012

eKapa

what is this
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May 30, 2012

Click

@ eKapa

It's called "inyongo".. aka D0nkey p!ss... aka M0nkey vomm!t.. aka Dronkie k@k... *Enough said*

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May 30, 2012

MsKinkyakaKamaSutra

@eKapa
what is this
*************************************************************************************
Look at the picture again it is an inscription of the word "Insult"

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May 30, 2012

TKay

okay....what on that pic
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May 30, 2012

Zacoz_

its obvious! dont you see that the demise of ANC in nearing...
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May 30, 2012

Bumboklaat

What the F*%^$k is that thing?
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May 30, 2012

Bumboklaat

@MsKinkyakaKamaSutra
@eKapa
what is this
*************************************************************************************
Look at the picture again it is an inscription of the word "Insult"
--------------------------------------------------------------
I see it now!
Report Abuse

May 30, 2012

candilious

@MsKinkyakaKamaSutra-Indeed .........i say more of an insult to its people for allowing the ANC to fold the masses eyes with puss again sad but true


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May 30, 2012

DjEp

Mr Seepe, dont insult my field of study. that is not how we compare things we do intensive research before we can compare and contrast. Light has proved to have both properties but mostly carries the wave properties and hence light is associated with waves. Now insult has no two ways unless if you can prove it. Insult is ukhuthukana no ku dhelela period. Zuma is a person before he can be a president so any form of insult will upset him as a person. we cannot say bcs we hate him he is also vulgarproof No its not. dont justify this one, if it was you would you say the same??
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May 30, 2012

MsKinkyakaKamaSutra

@Candilious

The less said about the cANCer the better..............
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