Knowledge the best weapon to fight prejudice on campus

It saddened me to read Shimshon Fisher’s article about his negative experience of being a Jew on the campus of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

It’s eye-opening to venture out of the Jewish bubble at a mere 18 years old, and then meet new “Muslim friends” who intimidate you.

Without knowing the intricacies of the situation, I would offer that in a similar situation in which a group of “Muslim friends” hiss, “You’re not a Zionist, are you?” an option would be to pose another question, “What’s a Zionist?” Clarify what being a Zionist means to them, and to you.

If being a Zionist means that the Jewish people have a right to their historic homeland where Judaism is practiced, then one can also point out the many countries where Islam isn’t only the practiced religion of the majority, but also the official religion of government. The key is to be as knowledgeable as possible.

I was, however, pleasantly surprised by the article about the “infamous campus rabble rouser and Fees Must Fall student activist Mcebo Dlamini”. From firing vitriol against the Jewish community and stubbornly not apologising, he has made a turnaround.

Dlamini visited the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre, where he “was introduced to the horrors of the Holocaust”. Before this, he couldn’t comprehend how offensive his remarks were. That’s why education is so important.

According to Dlamini, “There’s a dominant pro-Palestinian narrative, which I realise is biased and one-sided.” He now understands it’s a highly complicated issue. Perhaps Dlamini would engage with fellow students at Wits to educate them on the complexities of the conflict? Maybe then, Jewish students wouldn’t have their “friends” hiss at them, asking if they’re Zionists.