EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
, SECTION A (23%)
ANSWER BOTH QUESTIONS BELOW (Students will have only a
choice of 2 Question from the 4 listed below)
Each of the questions in this section asks you to defend a
position or illustrate an argument, and to do so using scholarly
sources. That is, whilst your opinion is solicited, you are asked
to substantiate your opinion with sustained and reasoned
argumentation and to draw from the relevant readings.
1. Drawing on the course readings, lecture notes, and discussions on the #RMF, #FMF,
#BlackLivesMatter, answer the following question: In what specific ways do these
course materials demonstrate the argument that anti-Black anti-racism is concerned
with the pursuit of Black Dignity?
Anti-Black Anti-Racism and the Pursuit of Black Dignity: Lessons from #RMF, #FMF, and
#BlackLivesMatter
In recent years, the world has witnessed the emergence of powerful social movements that
have challenged systemic racism and discrimination against Black individuals. Among these
movements, #RMF (Rhodes Must Fall), #FMF (Fees Must Fall), and #BlackLivesMatter have
been at the forefront, drawing attention to the urgent need for anti-Black anti-racism. This
essay delves into these movements, examining how course materials, readings, lectures,
and discussions have demonstrated the argument that anti-Black anti-racism is
fundamentally concerned with the pursuit of Black Dignity.
The Pursuit of Black Dignity in the #RMF Movement
#RMF, which began at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, is a movement that
symbolizes the desire for dismantling the remnants of a colonial past. The movement's
origins can be traced back to the protests against the presence of a statue of Cecil Rhodes
, on the university campus. As the movement gained momentum, it became evident that
#RMF was deeply concerned with the pursuit of Black Dignity. Course materials have
underscored how the statue of Cecil Rhodes represented a troubling colonial legacy.
Rhodes, an imperialist responsible for the colonization of large parts of Africa, had come to
symbolize the oppressive forces that marginalized and subjugated Black people. The call for
the removal of his statue and the broader decolonization of education were actions rooted
in the restoration of dignity to Black individuals. These symbolic gestures were not just
about taking down a statue but about acknowledging the inherent dignity of Black lives and
the need to rectify the wrongs of the past.
Pursuing Black Dignity through #FMF
#FMF, another South African movement, is primarily concerned with the accessibility of
education, particularly for Black students. The movement's origins can be traced to the
protests against the rising costs of education and the barriers faced by Black students.
Course materials have illuminated how #FMF seeks to challenge the inequities in the
education system, which have historically denied Black individuals the dignity of equal
educational opportunities. High tuition fees and systemic inequalities have limited access to
education for Black students, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion and disadvantage. The
pursuit of Black Dignity, as demonstrated through #FMF, involves advocating for affordable
and equitable education, thereby addressing a fundamental aspect of racial injustice.
#BlackLivesMatter and the Pursuit of Black Dignity
The #BlackLivesMatter movement is a global phenomenon that has brought issues of police
brutality and systemic racism to the forefront. Originating in the United States, this
movement has inspired millions to demand justice and equality for Black individuals. Course
materials, readings, and discussions have made it evident that #BlackLivesMatter is deeply
rooted in the pursuit of Black Dignity. It is a response to the systemic violence and
discrimination faced by Black people, especially at the hands of law enforcement. The
movement protests against police brutality, seeking to ensure that Black individuals can live
without fear for their lives. This pursuit of dignity is not just a matter of addressing physical
harm but also a call to rectify the dehumanization that Black individuals have historically
, SECTION A (23%)
ANSWER BOTH QUESTIONS BELOW (Students will have only a
choice of 2 Question from the 4 listed below)
Each of the questions in this section asks you to defend a
position or illustrate an argument, and to do so using scholarly
sources. That is, whilst your opinion is solicited, you are asked
to substantiate your opinion with sustained and reasoned
argumentation and to draw from the relevant readings.
1. Drawing on the course readings, lecture notes, and discussions on the #RMF, #FMF,
#BlackLivesMatter, answer the following question: In what specific ways do these
course materials demonstrate the argument that anti-Black anti-racism is concerned
with the pursuit of Black Dignity?
Anti-Black Anti-Racism and the Pursuit of Black Dignity: Lessons from #RMF, #FMF, and
#BlackLivesMatter
In recent years, the world has witnessed the emergence of powerful social movements that
have challenged systemic racism and discrimination against Black individuals. Among these
movements, #RMF (Rhodes Must Fall), #FMF (Fees Must Fall), and #BlackLivesMatter have
been at the forefront, drawing attention to the urgent need for anti-Black anti-racism. This
essay delves into these movements, examining how course materials, readings, lectures,
and discussions have demonstrated the argument that anti-Black anti-racism is
fundamentally concerned with the pursuit of Black Dignity.
The Pursuit of Black Dignity in the #RMF Movement
#RMF, which began at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, is a movement that
symbolizes the desire for dismantling the remnants of a colonial past. The movement's
origins can be traced back to the protests against the presence of a statue of Cecil Rhodes
, on the university campus. As the movement gained momentum, it became evident that
#RMF was deeply concerned with the pursuit of Black Dignity. Course materials have
underscored how the statue of Cecil Rhodes represented a troubling colonial legacy.
Rhodes, an imperialist responsible for the colonization of large parts of Africa, had come to
symbolize the oppressive forces that marginalized and subjugated Black people. The call for
the removal of his statue and the broader decolonization of education were actions rooted
in the restoration of dignity to Black individuals. These symbolic gestures were not just
about taking down a statue but about acknowledging the inherent dignity of Black lives and
the need to rectify the wrongs of the past.
Pursuing Black Dignity through #FMF
#FMF, another South African movement, is primarily concerned with the accessibility of
education, particularly for Black students. The movement's origins can be traced to the
protests against the rising costs of education and the barriers faced by Black students.
Course materials have illuminated how #FMF seeks to challenge the inequities in the
education system, which have historically denied Black individuals the dignity of equal
educational opportunities. High tuition fees and systemic inequalities have limited access to
education for Black students, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion and disadvantage. The
pursuit of Black Dignity, as demonstrated through #FMF, involves advocating for affordable
and equitable education, thereby addressing a fundamental aspect of racial injustice.
#BlackLivesMatter and the Pursuit of Black Dignity
The #BlackLivesMatter movement is a global phenomenon that has brought issues of police
brutality and systemic racism to the forefront. Originating in the United States, this
movement has inspired millions to demand justice and equality for Black individuals. Course
materials, readings, and discussions have made it evident that #BlackLivesMatter is deeply
rooted in the pursuit of Black Dignity. It is a response to the systemic violence and
discrimination faced by Black people, especially at the hands of law enforcement. The
movement protests against police brutality, seeking to ensure that Black individuals can live
without fear for their lives. This pursuit of dignity is not just a matter of addressing physical
harm but also a call to rectify the dehumanization that Black individuals have historically
