MERCY & JUSTICE PBC
BOOK REVIEWS
Another Country: Every Day Social Restitution
by Sharlene Swartz.
What was helpful and inspiring
There is much in this book that is very helpful and therefore I recommend it as a great tool to get people, white people in particular, thinking deeply about what it means to make things right here in South Africa. Sharlene writes from personal experience, in a vulnerable and non-threatening way, which draws people into thinking about these tough issues. There are helpful lenses for people to use to engage with the history and current situation without shaming any one, e.g. the Cycles of Consciousness Tool; and Locating One-self in
the Conversation Tool.
The voices and stories of black and Coloured people are clear and powerful, giving White people reading this book insights into spaces and experiences that we are not privy to in everyday SA life. The voices and stories of white people are honest and relatable, and Sharlene engages with these voices without judging them.
This allows the reader to be more honest with him or herself and continue on his or her journey of change; rather than just wearing the politically correct mask to avoid shame, and in so doing, allow no change.
The facts about our country’s past, and the implications for the present, are laid out clearly, simply and are, therefore, easy to understand. The concept of restitution is explained from various angles and with depth, rather than just one-liner ideas that don’t move anyone forward.
Sharlene acknowledges the complexity of our country and the different layers where change is needed, but ends the book with very practical examples of how to do social restitution.
Sharlene has moved the restitution conversation from government level to every day level, and so this concept of social restitution can be a powerful movement of ordinary people doing life differently, rather waiting on bureaucratic mechanics and political will.
This book will get people, not just thinking but engaging, and hopefully acting in a new way, by moving people past the paralysis of vague concepts or “the problem is too big for me”.
What I am grappling with now
Sharlene believes that three things need to be in place for South African’s to engage on process of social restitution: “People need a simple plan to follow, they need the goodwill of a group of Black South Africans who will walk this journey with them, and the need to be motivated and inspired by leaders, preferably White leaders to do so.” (page 238)
I am not so sure this will work as she envisioned and I would be happy to chat this through with people who have read the book. I do have some alternative ideas that might allow for this important process of everyday social restitution to move forward. If anyone from PBC has read the book, I would love to hear from you. Perhaps we could meet up and chat through what the practical “next step” in our context might be, let me know – Jacqui.
This book is available in the PBC library. Alternatively a few of us at church can lend you our personal copies (Stephy, Vaughan, Annie). If you have read a book related to mercy and justice that could help others on this journey, we would love to hear from you. Perhaps you could write a short review, or we could do a little video interview with you on what you found helpful and challenging in the book.