Privilege in eye of beholder

I agree with Professor Jonathan Jansen ("SA too schooled in violence", yesterday) that we are too schooled in generalisations, mostly along racial lines.

We are led to believe that all whites are rich and all blacks are poor; that all white students' fees are paid for and all they have to worry about is passing, with the opposite applying to blacks.

Jansen should read Chris Barnard's book One Life to see how hard he worked to achieve what he did, including care work and mowing lawns while studying.

I am sure Jansen, like me, has no idea about the wealth, or lack thereof, of the two white students injured on the Bellville campus.

Jackie Schimmel, Bergvliet

I nearly applauded Jansen for his stance on the student who hurled a brick at the car of a fellow student.

Jansen condemns the act and shows remarkable objectivity. And then his true colours show when he justifies the student's actions by asking: "Why must they learn while we struggle?"

How much more must the government and community do to get black students to stop using grievances as an excuse not to study? Black students already receive subsidies, stipends and, most importantly, opportunities.

Hannes Nel, by e-mail