As I was walking to the cafeteria today I noticed the difference between South African white people and the American white people, specially the men. There are obvious differences as they are people from different continents with different perceptions of reality. It is still amazing how different they are though. I have to say that I feel more comfortable among white Americans than I do amongst white South Africans. I think this is also influenced by the fact that I have had more white international friends than white South African friends. I do have a few white South African friends who are great people. I  find it interesting that it’s so hard to make friends with people who share a country with and who I supposedly have more in common with.

The different kinds of masculinities that are displayed here are very similar to the ones found in South Africa. They are surrounded by sport which is linked to beer and the degradation of women. In St Cloud, MN the men are not that particular when it comes to what they wear, even some of the women, which is totally the opposite for South Africa. I suppose I cannot compare St Cloud to Cape Town. It has more in common with Bloem. There is a huge pool of boys coming from the farms too, just like Bloem.

The racism is still there, just like South African racism seems to surround everything. I suppose it’s hard not to as it’s very institutionalised. The swastika’s that have been drawn on the walls around campus makes me think of what people around me are thinking. It is more or less the same with the things written in male bathroom stalls  at the University of Cape Town. I don’t know if it’s even appropriate to call what I am seeing here a different kind of whiteness. But it sure feels like it.