Contextualizing Goldberg’s Neoliberalism in post-apartheid South Africa of Nadine Gordimer (No Time Like the Present 2012)

Abstract

The concept of race and racism in the eyes of modern world has completely disappeared or made invisible. But as Goldberg’s title racisms without racism suggests that the kind of conditions once referred by the term have not disappeared completely, as it seems to have reincarnated in to “Neoliberalism” It is argued that even after its condemnation past (apartheid laws), in the form of racist attitudes still resides in the consciousness of South African people. As a corollary to this study, this paper aims to delineate this covert form of racism draped in South African democracy which is reflected in the contemporary politics and practices reflected in Gordimer’s No Time Like the Present (2012). The neutrality and adequacy of democratization are challenged in the form of globalization that once again concentrates power and wealth into fewer hands. Similarly, crucial issues like class division, poverty and demographic segregation, South Africa is facing these days is discussed as a repercussion to racism. Xenophobia is further studied as a residuary of racism in order to show that it still dictates present psyche thus, contributing to democracy as a camouflaged version of racism.

Keywords:  Racism, institutionalization, xenophobia, Neoliberalism and racial fabrication