Confronting Against Social Categories Granted to Oneself and Others

Shapes of Living Together of the ‘Born Free’ Generation in the Republic of South Africa

Abstract

This article discusses a theory of ‘living together’ by focusing on phenomena of confronting against social categories granted to oneself and others based on perception cases of the ‘born free’ generation in the Republic of South Africa（RSA）. Data from semi-structured interviews conducted in 2014（in English）with six Grade 12 learners at public schools in the Western Cape Province are analysed. The analysis reveals several key findings. First, this article highlights that in the ‘born free’ generation category, one participant expresses positive impressions of living in the contemporary RSA. However, another participant feels frustrated and pressured by being categorised as such a generation. Second, it highlights that the perceptions of ‘race’ are complex. For instance, one participant categorises the self and others based on the abovementioned category. However, another participant does not categorise based on ‘race’ but as ‘humans’ or ‘other’. In conclusion, this study argues that one characteristic of the ‘born free’ generation in the contemporary RSA is their perception of categorisation. Specifically, whether social categories are granted to oneself and others - including the category of socalled ‘Coloured’, which may benefit them in terms of affirmative action - are positive, they tend to perceive categorisation as unfavourable. Consequently, when discussing the theory of ‘living together’ by reviving social categories, people’s perceptions of categorisation need be considered. Additionally, this article discusses one characteristic of the ‘born free’ generation by explaining that they are free from categorisation - which is rooted in the apartheid system - toward themselves and others.