“How Do I Live in This Strange Place?”

Writing outside history: Reification, agency and the discourse on identity and difference

“…On the basis of these sampling criteria, the following articles were selected (listed here in descending order of citation count): a) "Beyond the optimal contact strategy: A reality check for the contact hypothesis" (Dixon, Durrheim & Tredoux, 2005); b) "Sex, death and the fate of the nation: Reflections on the politicization of sexuality in post-apartheid South Africa" (Posel, 2005); c) "Repertoires for talking white: Resistant whiteness in post-apartheid South Africa" (Steyn & Foster, 2008); d) "How do I live in this strange place?" (Vice, 2010); e) "A critical psychology of the postcolonial" (Hook, 2005).…”

Unearthing white academics’ experience of teaching in higher education in South Africa

“…In this way he could be seen to be adopting a stance of 'silence and humility' (Vice 2010) in his interaction with his students in the classroom.…”

“…On the one hand Rob's selective silence, when he witnesses white colleagues making 'conservative comments', unintentionally contributes to the discourse of whiteness as normal. However, his silence could also be viewed as an active strategy (Vice 2010). The utility of silence in staff only spaces is to avoid alienating himself from white academics, so that when he does voice objections he is more likely to be taken seriously.…”

“…However, his silence does not necessary communicate humility (Vice 2010) but implicitly defends white privilege. His choice to only challenge stereotypes in individual interactions with colleagues or students, for him is a form of activism.…”

“…The assumption is that a shared racial identity entitles an academic to use racial categories, whereas racial difference requires a silencing with respect to race. This silence could be interpreted as exhibiting humility (Vice 2010) but it might also be understood as a way to deal with his behaviour management strategies that might be a source of stigma, given the discrediting history of white paternalism.…”