COLUMN: Moving forward requires acknowledging history

The other day, as I was sorting through old documents, I stumbled upon a piece I had written about my father’s upbringing during South Africa’s apartheid era. The article, originally crafted for a narrative journalism class, delved into his experiences within the oppressive system. ‘It’s crucial to acknowledge the past,’ my father had emphasized during our conversation. His memories painted a vivid picture of the inequalities and struggles faced by many black South Africans. Through his narrative, I gained a deeper understanding of the historical context that continues to shape society today.