Erica learning through the arts

When the group and I traveled to Johannesburg, I felt so fortunate to get the opportunity to see where so much history had taken place. We were able to visit the Hector Pietersen Museum, Nelson Mandela’s home, the Soweto Memorial, and The Apartheid Museum. While it was important that we visited these historical places, I found that I got the most out of seeing a play called Curl Up and Dye.

The show had been written in 1989 as a commentary about the apartheid era and the grey area that existed for all races. Though the cast was only made up of five actors, it was a very powerful performance. It showcased just how complicated and confusing the apartheid era was but more importantly, how much it had affected the relationships people had with one another. This struck me, as I deeply value the relationships I have with people. I could never imagine not being allowed to associate with someone, just because of his or her racial background. This tension was perfectly encapsulated in the play, which ended up making me feel uneasy. However, when the group and I stayed back for a Q & A session, we learned that the purpose of the performance was to make the audience feel uncomfortable. The point was to make the audience feel just a slight bit of discomfort in comparison to what people living through apartheid actually dealt with day in and day out.

 This powerful affect reminded me why I love the arts and how much it serves as a learning tool. I feel that by being involved in the arts, people are able to express themselves, while teach others, in a creative yet peaceful way. I have noticed that within Cape Town, there are so many talented people- singers, dancers, musicians, artists, actors, etc. Perhaps this creativity comes from a place of pain and struggle, as a result of the apartheid era, but regardless- it is important so that people are able to learn about the past and are thus more informed when making decisions for the future. Ultimately, this experience resonated with me and has  made me realize just how much of an impact the arts can make.