From 1948 to 1991, the nation of South Africa was under “Apartied.” This was a government-sanctioned ruling that controlled every moment in the human experience for people of color. It controlled where they lived, where they worked, how far they had to commute work, how educated they could be, the type of healthcare they were given, and whom they could marry.

Admittedly, I didn’t learn a lot about the Apartheid while I was in school. I cannot pinpoint the moment when I learned about this horrific period of time, but I’m certain it wasn’t during my formal education years. As I prepared myself for this epic trip to South Africa, I knew visiting the Apartheid Museum was a must. I had heard stories about it, but wanted to experience it for myself.

Even with all of this mental preparation, I wasn’t ready. Upon purchasing my ticket, I received a slip that stated “Non-Blankes,” also known as non-white.

As I slowly turned the corner I faced two doors that were distinctively marked blankes and non-blankes — whites and non-whites. Hearing about the same kinds of “whites only” signs that marred the United States for decades saddened me, but experiencing it in real life was sobering.

During my visit, I learned that the search of gold built the foundation of the Apartheid. Many from all over the world found themselves in Johannesburg searching for a new “golden life,” which led to fighting and terrorizing over rights to land, the struggle for power and the need for greed.

What disturbed me the most was how recent all of this is. In the United States, people say the words “post-racial” often, implying our racial tensions are a thing of the past. We know that isn’t the case. If I was born in South Africa, my formative years would have been shaped by the oppressive forces of the Apartheid. That blew my mind, especially because I come from a “post-racial country.”

As my visit came to a close, I was left with more questions than answers — some rhetorical but still puzzling:

Why is being a minority in the United States considered the lower class, but being a minority in South Africa you are a member of the ruling class?

How does a 13-year-old die of “natural causes?” That was the youngest age of political prisoners that died while in police custody.

How are people so cruel?

Have you been to the Apartheid Museum? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.

Apartheid Museum

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week