We are a damaged nation but recovery is in our power

No one is born a racist. Our communities, and the interactions we have with those around us, make us who we are.

Racism is not always colour-based, but it is in South Africa. Those at the receiving end have a million stories to tell.

Most racists are not even aware that they are racist. I n South Africa, where the stench of our past still lingers , we are unable to open the windows to allow fresh air in.

The racial spats that have gripped this country in the past few days tell us that we are moving slowly to nowhere.

It is surprising that, after all we have gone through as a nation, we are unable to find a new path for our young people to follow.

It is easy to jump on the bandwagon and label one section of South Africa as racist without understanding what drives its opinions.

Racism in all its forms should be confronted and rooted out of our system.

That is why we fully support the Human Rights Commission's decision to haul Afrikaans singer Sunette Bridges to the Equality Court.

Bridges is accused of hosting commentary on her Facebook page that constitutes hate speech.

The commission should also not hesitate to take on those leaders, of all political persuasions, who find it easy to be racist.

South Africans should accept that we are a damaged nation and that it will take years to remove the stains.

Racism is so ingrained in our national psyche that often we are not even aware of it.

The victims of racism are sometimes so damaged that even they no longer find racism offensive.

For this country to move beyond the abnormal we must correct the mundane factors - the choices we make at home and in our workplace.

Those who are in the business of shaping our thoughts and how we see the world should join the fight for a better tomorrow.