Hiccups, Awesomeness (that's right -- I wrote awesomeness), and Related Musings

So I had to purchase a 3G modem in order to get internet access. We moved into the dorms on Saturday, and everything they had promised we would have ended up not coming through. The good news: I am getting an $800 Rand refund (about $200 US). The bad news: I live in the housing project from "Good Times." DYNOMITE!!!!!

Anyway, we went on a field trip to Constitutional Hill, which is the site of the Constitutional Court of South Africa -- their highest court. In terms of the oral argument, I immediately noticed that the lawyers’ style of argument is much less formal and deferential than in the United States. It seems to be more of a conversation between the justices and the advocates, rather than a formal presentation of a subordinate to his/her superior (as in the U.S.). I think perhaps this has something to do with the concept of complete equality under law, that not even justices of this most high court are treated differently than others in the courtroom. Even the bench is not positioned in a manner that seats the justices higher than the advocates or others present in the courtroom. It seemed to me that respect is due the court, the bench, and all those who enter -- equally.

The part of our visit to Constitution Hill that was most moving was the tour of the Old Fort prison complex. Not only was I moved by the mere fact that I was standing under the same roofs that once housed great freedom fighters such as Nelson and Winnie Mandela, Mohandas Gandhi, and countless others; I was moved by the extreme humiliation and deprivation of human dignity particularly non-white prisoners were forced to endure.
As I wandered through various parts of the prison, reading the historical placards and reconstructed exhibits, I stood back and observed my colleagues. Each of them were profoundly affected by the horrible images before them, and I could imagine the scenes that were playing in their minds’ eyes. Each of them were lost in their thoughts, likely feelings of tremendous grief for the human tragedy that was apartheid. Each of us was affected: American, African, Asian, male, female, black, white – all human. And I believe that, in that moment, we were acutely aware of our own humanity, and how dignity is an integral element of that humanity. In that moment, we each of us silently promised ourselves that we could never be bystanders.

I also thought about the concept of prison itself, and whether incarceration itself is dehumanizing, and, if so, whether it is an acceptable trade-off to subject other human beings to even the slightest indignities in the name of order. Prisons everywhere, free societies or otherwise, have dehumanizing aspects. Are we correctly balancing the rights of members of society to be safe in their persons and property with the human rights of criminal offenders? I do not purport to know the answer to that question, I only pose it as starting point for discussion.

Pictures soon. I promise.