Apartheid意思
"Apartheid" is an Afrikaans word that means "apartness" or "segregation." It was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the National Party government in South Africa from 1948 until 1994. Apartheid was characterized by the separation of people into racial groups, with the white minority enjoying the highest level of rights and privileges, while the black majority and other non-white groups were systematically oppressed and denied basic human rights.
The apartheid system in South Africa was characterized by several key features:
-
Racial Classification: All South Africans were classified into racial groups: white, black (African), Coloured (of mixed race), and Asian (Indian and Pakistani).
-
Segregation: Laws and policies were implemented to separate the races in all aspects of life, including residential areas, public facilities, education, employment, and even public transportation.
-
Land Distribution: Most of the land was reserved for white ownership, while black Africans were restricted to living in impoverished rural reserves known as "homelands" or "bantustans."
-
Political Suppression: Black Africans and other non-white groups were denied the right to vote and were subjected to political repression, including detention without trial, torture, and execution.
-
Economic Disparity: The economy was structured to benefit the white minority, with black Africans facing widespread unemployment, low wages, and limited opportunities for economic advancement.
The apartheid system in South Africa was condemned by many countries and international organizations, and it was the subject of a significant global sanctions campaign. The struggle against apartheid was led by organizations such as the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party, as well as by individuals like Nelson Mandela, who were eventually successful in bringing about the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic, non-racial government in South Africa in 1994.