Apartheid
Noun
Definition: A policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race.
Synonyms: Segregation, Racial discrimination, Racial separation
Antonyms: Integration, Equality, Inclusiveness
- The apartheid regime in South Africa lasted for several decades.
- Apartheid laws enforced racial segregation in housing, education, and public facilities.
- Think of "apart" in apartheid representing separation or segregation.
- "Apartheid" contains the word "hide," highlighting the concealment of certain races from each other.
Etymology:
Apartheid originates from Afrikaans (a language derived from Dutch) and means "separateness" or "apartness."
Historical Usage:Apartheid was a system implemented in South Africa from 1948 to 1994, promoting racial segregation and discrimination. This policy aimed to maintain white minority rule and enforce separation between different racial groups, particularly between the white and non-white populations. It led to widespread human rights abuses, protests, and international condemnation.
Related Idioms:
"Apartheid wall"
Explanation:Refers to the Israeli West Bank barrier, a controversial separation barrier constructed by Israel, primarily seen as a physical manifestation of the division between Israelis and Palestinians.
Misconceptions:
Considering apartheid to only involve racial discrimination.
Explanation:While racial discrimination was a significant aspect of apartheid, it also encompassed other forms of discrimination such as social, economic, and political exclusion based on race. The apartheid system was a comprehensive framework of policies that entrenched racial separation and oppression.