28th Annual Student Research Conference
The Struggle for Human Rights in South Africa
Aaron C. Albrecht
Dr. Anton Daughters, Faculty Mentor
This presentation describes the history of South African apartheid (1924-1994) and the ensuing transition to democracy. Items to be presented: (1) The role of religion in first justifying and later il-legitimizing the apartheid system, (2) the role of opposition leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, Joe Slovo, and Steve Biko (Black Consciousness Movement), (3) the role of liberal newspaper editors such as Donald Woods and Allister Sparks, (4) the Rivonia Trial of 1963, and (5) the system of class stratification that now overlays the previous system of racial stratification. The author argues that the current system of class stratification may be overcome by virtue of existing democratic institutions.
Keywords: South Africa, Apartheid, Human Rights, Calvinism, Black Consciousness, Revolution, Liberation, Participatory Democracy
Topic(s):Sociology
Anthropology
African Studies
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 305-2
Location: MG 2050
Time: 1:15