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Apartheid for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: ə'pɑrteɪt

What does Apartheid really mean?

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Hey there! So, you've asked me about the word "Apartheid" and what it means. That's a great question, and I'm here to help you understand it in the simplest way possible.

Apartheid is a term that originated in South Africa and it refers to a system of strict laws and policies that were in place from 1948 to 1994. Now, I want you to imagine a big wall. This wall is called segregation. Apartheid is like a super-big and strict version of this segregation wall.

You see, during this time in South Africa, people were divided based on their skin color. I'm sure you know that people come in different shades and tones, right? In South Africa, however, they took this difference to an extreme level. Black people, who had darker skin, were forced to live separately from white people, who had lighter skin. It was as if there were separate neighborhoods, schools, and even hospitals for each group. They couldn't mix or interact with each other freely. It's like having two worlds living side by side, but never really crossing paths.

Now, you might be wondering why this happened. Great question! You know how we have different races and cultures in the world, right? Well, sometimes, some people believe that one race is superior or better than others. In South Africa, the government at that time believed that white people were superior and had more rights than black people. Can you imagine being told you are less important or less capable just because of the color of your skin? It's like saying one kind of ice cream is better than another just because it has a different color or flavor!

Apartheid meant that black people had to carry a special identification card at all times, and they couldn't go to certain places or do certain things that white people could. It was a really unfair and unjust system that caused a lot of pain and conflict. Thankfully, in 1994, South Africa took a massive step forward by putting an end to apartheid and the unfairness that came with it.

So, to sum things up, apartheid means a system in which people are separated and treated differently because of their skin color. It was a very unfair and cruel system that existed in South Africa, but luckily, it doesn't exist anymore. It's important for us to understand history so that we can work towards a world where everyone is treated equally and with respect, no matter what color their skin is.

I hope that explanation helps you understand what apartheid means. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Revised and Fact checked by Michael Garcia on 2023-10-28 02:35:49

Apartheid In a sentece

Learn how to use Apartheid inside a sentece

  • In South Africa during the 20th century, there was a time when people with different skin colors were treated unfairly. This period of unfair treatment is called Apartheid.
  • Imagine if you and your friends were playing a game, but one of your friends made a rule that only they could win and everyone else had to lose. That would be like Apartheid because it's unfair and unequal.
  • Let's say there is a school where only boys are allowed to study, and girls are not given the same opportunities. This kind of separation based on gender is similar to Apartheid.
  • Suppose you are in a park and there are separate areas for people with different eye colors to sit or play. That separation based on eye color is an example of Apartheid.
  • Imagine if there was a country where people with blond hair were not allowed to live in certain neighborhoods or own certain things, while people with brown hair could freely do so. This separation based on hair color would be considered Apartheid.

Apartheid Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.