We refer to the article published on Politicsweb on 21 July 2009 in which private correspondence between two newspaper columnists is made public (see here). It is of concern for public discourse on race in SA for a number of reasons.

This letter is being written by two young women, who have shared a multiracial friendship and household for quite some time. We lack no sense of humour when it comes to issues of race and difference and discovering ‘the other'. However the humour used by Mr Bullard in his emails can barely be called satire. He taunts Dr Mangcu and sadly the doctor responds in a less than mature manner, by a) erroneously referring to private correspondence in a public column and b) rising to Mr Bullard's bait.

Mr Bullard's releasing of this correspondence to the public reveals intentions that seem akin to Dr Steven Friedman's sentiments on racial ridicule described in his column "Whites wait on the touchline to label the next black buffoon" (Business Day, 15 July 2009). If not, then at least childish goading that should be beneath those that have the power of public commentary in our country.

This last point is the most worrying about the exchange. The ‘race debate' in SA is of such a low standard that true dialogue on the difficulties we face are hard to come by in the media. Often there is senseless mudslinging and personal jibing, rather than looking for ways to work through the tensions and awkwardnesses we all feel at points.

That these two gentlemen have public platforms, one of whom gratuitously refers to himself as a public intellectual, the other who seems comfortable with the role of court jester, is frustrating. We don't know if this kind of pitiful exchange, dragged into the public domain, is even worth responding to.

The reason we chose to respond was because what too often happens is this mudslinging is misconstrued as actual public commentary. Those (assumedly) ‘above it' do not care to get involved in petty squabbles and those who do become involved become incensed, and so the defensive downward spiral in place of constructive debate continues. In short, it is unhelpful.

Regards,

Ms Dee Marco and Ms Hannah Botsis

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