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Comment by EtienneK | Hacker News Reader

I'm a white South African Software Engineer, too. Family arrived here +- 200 years ago.

If that doesn't make me African, what does? I can promise you that if I go to Europe, I won't be considered European!

I usually take accusations of reverse racism with a pinch of salt, but there was recently a discussion on Twitter where a popular ex-radio host (Kay Sexwale, @kaysexwale), stated that whites cannot be Africans, nor can they lead political parties in Africa. Ordinarily someone like that would be regarded as a kook, but she in the last week, almost got a job as Chief of Staff to the Premier of Gauteng province. Also her assertions were not really questioned by black Africans on Twitter, if I recall correctly (some whites were, rightfully, quite offended).

There is a strong degree of vigilance required. However, it should also be admitted that many white South Africans don't make much of an effort to integrate, or to be constructive, instead resorting to constant belittlement, obstructionism and moaning. This combination of white intransigence, and nascent black African supremacism doesn't bode well for the future.

If giving up control over your country of birth without any form of violence doesn't show the most absolute effort to integrate, then I don't know what measures will convince you otherwise?

Here is the thing. For whatever reasons, right or wrong, most people understand 'African' to mean 'black'. Sucks. Egypt is not populated by black people, and people think of that as part of middle-east.

Most people are only consciously politically correct.

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