Prejudice-"a Painful Phenomenon"

Instead of rushing into reading this article, take a few moments to imagine yourself confronted with some specific circumstances. Envision yourself living in a small, remote village in Botswana, Africa, nearly completely ostracized, and almost everyone around you has an preconceived, unfavorable opinion in regards to yourself. On top of that, they lack knowledge, thought, and reasoning for their hostile nature; everyone despises you upon seeing your face, and simply identifying the shade of color that makes up the complexion of your skin. You are exiled to a village, and quickly classified as a "non-human" Bushman. Or even a Masarwa, who is no better than attending to the cattle herds. You are manipulated by tribesman, all of whom are above you. By this time, you're probably begging to return to the place in your mind you came here at.

In Bessie Head's novel, "Maru," Margaret Cadmore is faced with almost identical circumstances. In Botswana, prejudice fills the air in the village of Dilepe. As oppressive and damaging to humanity prejudice is, it's all directed towards Margaret and her kind. Masarwa people (mixed breed of one white parent and one black African) hadn't been enfranchised as citizens. She is forced into a state of exile and vulnerability, and faces threats of extreme inequality. Humanity has pushed her aside, despite having a brilliant mind. As we read Bessie Head's story of Margaret Cadmore's experiences as a Masarwa teacher, we note some particular insights she offers to this phenomenon of prejudice.

Up to this point in the reading, Bessie Head's unique vision displays more and more of the prejudice that congests the village of Dilepe. At the Leseding School on page 48, Maru (chief of the village) portrays his prejudice by stating, "There is no place for a Masarwa, whom everyone has seen behaving like a low animal in drink and filth.." And on page 47, after word got out that a Masarwa was teaching in the village, people of the town laughed and agreed, "If a Masarwa combs his hair and wears a modern dress, he looks just like a Colored. There's no difference at all." The act of holding a preconceived view and opinion towards Masarwa people is rapidly spreading through the village at this point. Thanks to Totems like Pete who spread the gossipy buzz, buzz, buzz, more and more villagers are strengthening their prejudice views towards Margaret and her kind. After referring to Margaret as "that one," Pete states on page 39 that "Coloreds are trash." Bessie Head clues us in on the next page that the actions of Pete caused a wave of shame that swept through the hearts of ordinary people.

With prejudice intruding from all angles, Bessie Head expresses in the text about the desperation and hope for change. Her vision of a Utopian society on page 63 asserts, "For every living thing on earth there would be a day when everyone would be free and no one the slave of another. People no longer need chiefs and kings... who ruled with the philosophy that there was never enough." She writes on the next page of new types of rulers who "never betray their gods of goodness, compassion, and truth." Bessie gives us insight to the effect prejudice has had on the victims. The silent hope for change exists in all of those who were victimized.

The chief of the village, Maru, is perhaps the most prejudice. He seems to be "double-sided." On page 55, in a heated conversation with his best friend Moleka, Maru states, "I still own the Masarwa slaves. They maintain the cattle and cattle posts. They sleep on the ground with their only blanket being the fire." He is then enraged after learning Margaret, as a Masarwa is sleeping on a bed, and demands the return of it. But then later in the novel, on page 66 Maru admits to Dikeledi (his sister) that he plans to marry Margaret! Even if force is needed! Not only is Maru prejudice, but he's also double-sided as well. The author is exposing us to the harsh reality that no oppressor believes in his own oppression. It contributes to the pain that is caused by the phenomenon of prejudice; knowing that your oppressors avoid acknowledgment of their own prejudice. Maru retreating back and forth between Mr. "Slave" owner and Mr. "compassion" contributes to Margaret's struggle with prejudice. Bessie Head wants us to realize this aspect of Margaret's broken frame.

Bessie Head has offered some great insight to the prejudice that exists in the village of Dilepe. As we approach the end of the novel, the frame of prejudice and discrimination is slowly being confronted. And as we try to make sense of the confusion and oppression that Masarwa people face, we have allowed the author to bring us to that place of victimization. In the final reading, we will see if Margaret can escape prejudice.......or at least dodge it.