You know, when I was a kid, South Africa fascinated me. It was a country that seemed to still cling to the relics of the past, more so than other countries. Not that it was the only country to have legalized racism and discrimination - I think that laws specifying differential treatment based on race probably started in the United States, and continued long after the laws were first put into the books.
In any case, yes, South Africa fascinated me, and I read numerous articles and books on it, and even watched anything about it that came on television. There was not much, but the occasional news story, movie, and each weekend, a show called South Africa Now. Such was my routine at the time.
Anyway, in one book, The Reader's Guide Illustrated History of South Africa, there was a picture (actually, a couple of pictures set next to one another) that illustrated the reality of inequality in the country. In the first picture, you glimpse an aerial view of Johannesburg's wealthy suburbs, as lush, green, sculpted gardens and yards, with numerous shimmering, aqua-colored swimming pools spotted relatively frequently in that upscale neighborhood. The streets were wide and tree-lined. Everywhere in the picture were signs of affluence, even luxury.
Then, they showed the image of Soweto, with tightly packed streets, grimy smoke, and much smaller residences. From the air, it looks clear that this is a very different, and much less inviting, neighborhood.
Apartheid may finally have officially gone away in South Africa, much like Jim Crow segregation finally went away in the United States. Yet, images showing precisely that kind of economic inequality not only continue to exist, but probably are more persistent and extreme today.
Still, this kind of inequality remains prevalent because the lifestyles of the rich and famous continue to be glorified in the most positive sense, as something enviable, a goal to strive for, rather than an unsustainable and irresponsible lifestyle flaunting excess and decadence.
Here in the United States, a whole political/economic philosophy has materialized focusing almost exclusively on preserving such excess for those who have it, and combating any attempts for attempts to achieve greater equality through more practical and, frankly, fair tax policy. Much like with so much else (such as guns, the environmental degradation, and some other things, including introducing alien species that have a detrimental impact on the environment), the argument being made, in essence, is that any attempt to curb such things infringes on the freedoms of the American citizen in principle. Even when that freedom is the freedom to essentially do harm to the American population as a whole. It's backasswards, but it is also the reality that we have to deal with right now.
Ironically, a lot of these people that seem to thrive on inequality make their living by destroying nature, and have been accused of hating trees, and wanting to knock down all trees. Yet, as is rightly pointed out in Bill Moyers webpage, they sure are not lacking for trees in the wealthier neighborhoods. It shows, at least to me, that they view trees as having practical uses, such as for decoration, and to provide some nice shade on a hot and sunny day.
So, it may seem rather paradoxical that their neighborhoods are often leafy and very green. Additionally, not only are these neighborhoods filled with trees,but as you can see if you look at this article on Bill Moyers website (click on the link below), you will be able to confirm what the author, Theresa Riley, claims, which is that you can essentially tell the affluence of a given neighborhood by how much greenery, by how many trees are evident.
Here is the link:
How to Spot Income Inequality From Space? Count the Trees June 10, 2012 by Theresa Riley
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