APARTHEID ANTHROLOGIES THE GENEOLOGY OF AFRIKANER ANTHROPOGY ARGUMENT

Answer 1

Apartheid Anthologies: The Genealogy of Afrikaner Anthropology Argument

The concept of apartheid in South Africa was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that was enforced by the government from 1948 until the early 1990s. During this time, apartheid policies impacted all aspects of South African society, including the field of anthropology.

Afrikaner anthropology emerged as a discipline that sought to justify and uphold the apartheid regime through the study of race and ethnicity. This form of anthropology was deeply influenced by colonial ideologies and sought to support the notion of white superiority and black inferiority.

One of the key arguments in the genealogy of Afrikaner anthropology is the belief in the biological determinants of race. Afrikaner anthropologists believed that race was a fixed and unchangeable characteristic that determined an individual's capabilities and potential. This belief in racial hierarchy and biological determinism served to justify the segregationist policies of the apartheid regime.

Another argument in the genealogy of Afrikaner anthropology is the focus on cultural and social differences between racial groups. Afrikaner anthropologists argued that these differences were inherent and immutable, and therefore, racial segregation was necessary to maintain social order and stability.

Critics of Afrikaner anthropology have highlighted the inherent bias and racism present in the discipline. They argue that this form of anthropology was used as a tool to legitimize and justify the oppression of black South Africans under apartheid. Additionally, the focus on racial differences ignored the complex social, political, and historical factors that contributed to the inequality and injustice experienced by non-white populations in South Africa.

Overall, the genealogy of Afrikaner anthropology reflects the ways in which anthropology can be used to reinforce existing power structures and ideologies. By understanding the historical roots of this discipline, we can better understand the complex relationship between anthropology, politics, and social justice in South Africa and beyond.