Perspectives

Historical perspective

The events presented by Rayda Jacobs in the short story “The Guilt” take place post-apartheid, in South Africa. Apartheid – which began in the 1950s and ended at the beginning of the 1990s – was a political system based on racial segregation. This meant that the white minority received social and economic advantages – better jobs, better housing, and more money. On the opposite, the black majority was discriminated against – they lived in miserable conditions, did low-paying jobs, and lacked access to education. 

After the end of apartheid, in 1994, the black majority hoped for a change. However, black South Africans continued to suffer because of racial segregation and discrimination long after the end of apartheid, like Jacobs’ story shows. The white minority continued to enjoy their advantages...