#IamStellenbosch lands with a thud on black Twitter
While most of 2015’s movements crusade for cause that we can get behind, the latest campaign called I Am Stellenbosch has social media users confused and angry.
What started as a Facebook page and Youtube video has now turned into the online community’s hot topic.
According to a mission statement posted on its Facebook page, I Am Stellenbosch claims it is a place for students to engage with each other, through discourse rather than dialogue.
Basically, they want student to write to each other instead of speaking to each other but they do not explain why they feel one is better than the other.
Quite a few of the #IAmStellenbosch posts remind me of this poignant image… pic.twitter.com/3klGi7f7Nj
— Jacques Rousseau (@JacquesR) September 25, 2015
On Wednesday, the movement posted pictures of mostly white Stellenbosch students holding up pieces of paper featuring statements about their identities, what being a Stellies student means to them or statements aimed at debunking stereotypes associated with their identities.
Statements such as “I am Afrikaans and I listen to Childish Gambino” or “I am Afrikaans and I like rap” seemingly meant to prove that cultural appropriation or appreciation automatically make one immune to racism only drew the ire of the online community.
Guys white people listen to rap, institutional racism is over we can all go home #IAmStellenboschpic.twitter.com/cGzSbuH7G8
— Leera (@Its_Leera) September 25, 2015
What seemed to irritate people the most was the use of the term “non-white” to refer to one’s self – implying that all races exist in relation to whiteness.
*SCREAMS IN SARAFINA* What is a non-white??? #IAmStellenboschpic.twitter.com/ksTEu5owo7
— TFisNonWhite (@_Dame_) September 25, 2015
Here are some of the funnier responses to the hashtag.
Our maid is black and we let her in the house #IAmStellenbosch
— Bonnie Mbuli (@BonnieMbuli) September 25, 2015
Looking at #iamstellenbosch posts and thinking... pic.twitter.com/ooqzZ306kR
— Lunga Biyela (@KingBiyela) September 25, 2015
can never resist free self-promo ✌ ️ #IAmStellenboschpic.twitter.com/42RE7Qbueu
— tief of colour (@lofigoth) September 25, 2015
We are non Orlando Pirates. Inspired by #IAmStellenbosch promotion. pic.twitter.com/Eu4aw3V63C
— Outside Nicodemus (@Mkhu28) September 25, 2015
Imagine the relief of getting that off your chest. Real freedom right here. #IAmStellenboschpic.twitter.com/KjqPkN8Q2C
— James Hamilton (@hamboneZA) September 24, 2015
#IAmStellenbosch Whoever came up with this racist agenda pic.twitter.com/dFCrkYvkEh
— Richard Sethokga (@richie_sethokga) September 25, 2015