Feeding time

Me too!
Originally uploaded by ccarlstead

Do you ever have those experiences where you don't really want to be watching, but you can't really look away? That's what I felt like Sunday. A friend took pity on me (since I was the last one out of the boarding house by a full 24 hours) and came and got me and we went to the Lion Camp. Turns out that they feed the lions at noon on Sundays. So we got to see the lions gnawing down, each with their own piece - although an occasional fight erupted over exactly whose piece of meat it was. It was disturbing and fascinating all at the same time. Made me realize just how powerful and wild these animals really are. There is a reason they had signs posted about not getting out of your car! Still, I feel like I was privileged to see a rare moment (rare meat at least) and while the veggie in me was more than a little squeamish I just couldn't stop taking pictures. The lions that were carrying a full leg where probably the most captivating - perhaps because their meal was easily identifiable. Oh, lucky me to catch feeding time at the park.

Quote of the week

...the most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. If one is free at heart, no man-made chains can bind one to servitude, but if one's mind is so manipulated and controlled by the oppressor as to make the oppressed believe that he is a liability to the white man, then there will be nothing the oppressed can do to scare his powerful masters.
-Steve Biko

Thoughts from J'burg

Separate Entrances
Originally uploaded by ccarlstead

I've been tucked away on the campus of the American International School for two weeks now, which is not exactly in a city - or really by much of anything at all. I have been focused on my classes (6 hours a day) and assignments and so have not really seen much of the area at all. We did have a "field trip" (I feel like I'm back in elementary school when I say that) last weekend that took us to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. It really gave a fabulous impression of what went on in this country as they fought to eliminate apartheid. From the moment you walk in - either through a whites only door or a non-whites entrance...which lead to two different approaches into one of the exhibition halls. The visual impact of the museum is striking, and I have to admit it really made me stop and think. Think about how a community that makes up only 10% of the population was able to dictate the laws that oppressed so many. Think about how liberal their bill of rights is. Think about the promise that we were asked to make the end, our own personal vow to combat inequality in the world today. Think about how while we've been driving down the streets it isn't uncommon to see a group of black workers with a white supervisor. Think about how almost everyone I've seen in a service position (working cash registers, cleaning, cooking) are black. It gives you a lot to think about, doesn't it?