Choosing an ambassador to the US simply because they are white and Afrikaans will not stop the Trump regime bullying this country. It will simply pander to its prejudices. Around the world, the main reason right-wing bigots are on the rise is that mainstream politicians who claim not to be prejudiced always make bigotry seem normal. This move would do just that.
This is the view of my weekly Against the Tide column sent to subscribers this morning. To subscribe, visit the Against the Tide website. To discuss a free or reduced subscription, contact info@againstthetide.co.za
Steven Friedman is a public commentator and an academic, currently employed as a Research Professor at the University of Johannesburg. He has been writing on South African politics for the entire democratic period both as a scholar and public commentator. He has published books on South Africa’s transition to democracy, the role of the trade union movement, and current South African politics. He has also written columns and articles for several South African newspapers. His writing seeks to use academic research to shed light on current politics but to ensure that this is conveyed in a way easily understood by people who have no academic training.
