Famous quote by Harry Oppenheimer

"It must not be forgotten in fairness to the National Government that apartheid is not just a policy of oppression but an attempt - in my opinion an attempt doomed to failure - to find an alternative to a policy of racial integration which is fair to both white and black"

About this Quote

In this quote, Harry Oppenheimer provides a nuanced viewpoint on apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa that was imposed by the National Celebration federal government from 1948 up until the early 1990s. Oppenheimer, a popular South African businessman and political leader, acknowledges the overbearing nature of apartheid but suggests that it emerged from an attempt to produce a system of racial interaction distinct from direct integration.

Oppenheimer's statement can be dissected into several crucial parts:

1. ** Recognition of Oppression **: He begins by conceding that apartheid is certainly a policy of oppression. This acknowledgment recommends an understanding of the suffering and injustice experience by non-white South Africans under apartheid laws.

2. ** Attempt at an Alternative **: The quote also indicates that apartheid was seen by its proponents as an alternative to racial integration. Oppenheimer shows that those who supported apartheid may have thought it to be an option to racial stress, intending to keep distinct racial neighborhoods rather of pursuing integration. This viewpoint recommends the intricacy surrounding policies, where objectives might vary from the results.

3. ** Inevitable Failure **: Oppenheimer mentions his belief that apartheid is "doomed to failure". This forecast could originate from his understanding that a system based on inequality, division, and lack of shared regard can not sustain itself in the long term. It recommends an awareness of the ethical, social, and financial unsustainability of such a system.

4. ** Fairness and Critique **: Oppenheimer worries "fairness to the National Government", indicating a desire to objectively examine the inspirations and actions behind apartheid. Despite slamming it, he seems to provide a type of intellectual empathy, thinking about apartheid as a misguided yet intentional policy choice, instead of a straight-out malicious act.

In summing up, Oppenheimer's quote reflects an important view of apartheid, translating it as an ultimately flawed attempt to manage racial relations that disregards authentic equality and fairness. His insights highlight the intricacies in political systems where objectives may dramatically diverge from the agonizing realities they produce.

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South Africa Flag This quote is written / told by Harry Oppenheimer between October 28, 1908 and August 19, 2000. He/she was a famous Businessman from South Africa. The author also have 2 other quotes.
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