Systemic racism creates a glass ceiling hindering progress, Enathi Paulse, a PhD student in Political Communication on Race, Political Parties, and Election Campaigns at the University of the Western Cape, told Sputnik Africa on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
She stressed that equal opportunities are necessary to ensure individuals from all backgrounds and races have a fair chance.
Touching upon the topic of colonial legacy, Paulse stressed that by using languages that are linked to the colonial past instead of indigenous knowledge or languages, colonialism subtly continues its influence in African countries by imposing narratives and ideologies.
She noted that during colonialism, adopting the colonial language provided a sense of acceptance, despite lower social standing, as it was a tool used by those seeking easier integration into colonial society.