Social pain and social death

Poor white stigma in post-apartheid South Africa, a case of West Bank in East London

Bibliographic Data

ID2186689
AuthorsOctavia Sibanda (0000-0001-8320-2641, University of Fort Hare, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume35
Issue3-4
Pages81-90
Publication date2012-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnthropology Southern Africa (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2332-3264 • E-ISSN: 2332-3256
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/23323256.2012.11500027
OpenAlexW2285372141
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited20

This article looks at poor white stigma in post-apartheid South Africa. Drawing on my ethnographic engagement with my informants, I developed this article as a part of my broader argument that explores the complex nature of white poverty in South Africa. In the context of East London, where my study was based, I explore poor white stigma within the context of ‘coastal whiteness’, an ideological perception of white lives in the coastal environment. This paper is particularly interested in understanding the marginal spaces which are occupied by poor whites and how these spaces are imagined within dominant white communities. I argue that poor whites represent ‘abnormality’ within white communities. As such they are often perceived as contradicting the progressive value systems of ‘normal’ whites, who are beyond poverty and are said to be committed to hard work and self-improvement. Furthermore, poor whites are seen to represent a threat to the ideals of white culture that is perceived as immune to poverty. Because of this perception of poverty as some form of exceptionally negative condition, fear and shame are attached to it. The extent of stigma attached to the condition of white poverty actually alienates those trapped in this position. Because of the rejection that poor whites are subjected to, they are constantly made to endure social pain and social death. Their existence becomes null and void to many. They are made to feel like some form of reject product that carries little value

Ideology · Political science · Politics · Poverty · Shame · Sociology · Value (mathematics · White (mutation · Gender Studies · Homelessness and Social Issues · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology · South African History and Culture · Urban, Neighborhood, and Segregation Studies

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