Word: benatar
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Some feel that economic forces from within South Africa will lead to a more equal distribution of wealth and power. There are not sufficient blue collar workers in the white population, so Blacks are already moving into higher industrial positions, according to Benatar. But this type of equalization will still take too long for many of the Blacks in South Africa, she says...
...words of five white Harvard undergraduates who have lived in South Africa paint a grim portrait of the future of that nation. Giselle M. Benatar '86, Gerald M. Fox '86, Nita Lelyveld '86, Mary J. Menell '85, and one junior who asked not to be identified all agree that change, possibly bloody change, will come. But they disagree on the roles which Harvard and the United States can and should play in causing that change to occur...
...students support divestiture. "As far as Harvard divestiture goes, I think it's a completely ridiculous idea," says Benatar. "It looks to me like they're trying to re-radicalize Harvard. But they're going to do it at the expense of South African Blacks." She explains that because of Harvard's prestige, other institutions, and even countries might sever ties with the nation. This would lead to an economic depression which would spark a revolution before the Blacks were ready to take control of the government...
...students are uncertain about what measures the United States or Harvard can realistically take. Benatar says that the most important thing for South African Blacks is increased education, a natural area for Harvard to assist in. "The illiteracy problem has to be dealt with on a more personal level. For people to go down there and try to educate Blacks on an individual basis would have far greater positive effects than just turning the screws," she says. adding "rather than divest. Harvard should investigate ways in which it can further aid in the education of South African Blacks...
...students interviewed feel that Harvard's most important role concerning South Africa is inherent in its primary function: to educate. The most important thing Harvard can do, they say, is teach its students all of the political and economic dynamics of the country. Says Benatar. "They really don't have much of a curriculum here on South Africa at all. If they're going to become involved with it, the University must provide more information about the country. Some one up there in the Harvard administration should know better...