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It did not happen a huge amount, but there were important American contributions to the death of Apartheid. A powerful statement was the electric portrayal by both Washington and Klein as Biko and Woods in "Cry Freedom ". This film is still a cracker and helped at a very critical time. Within two years Mandela was released and a dirty chapter in world history came to an end.The American financial community was not so honourable, but neither was the British, which made a lot of money from the slavery. What was surprising though, was the lack of publicised outrage from the US Black community, but perhaps this was part of the "King, where are your people now, tame and pacified? " period, of which the British Reggae band, UB40 complained.
Mind you, UB40, where are they now? They went from the best band in the world, to banal love songs, in record time, no pun intended. It was strange, however that Black America was so apparently quiet, as it was a cause celebre for everyone here. ...Except the lady in an Edinburgh grocery shop, who was remarkable. Verbatim .....
Me: " Morning, some oranges please ? ".. Lady. " Yes sir..nice day. "
Me " Yes..ah.. have you any others? " Lady " No sir ... ....why? "
Me " These are Outspan oranges. " Lady " Yes sir ..and lovely "
Me " I can 't buy South African fruit " Lady "Why not ,sir "
Me " Because of the situation there. " Lady " Situation, sir? "
Me " With the Black workers " Lady " I don 't like Blacks touching oranges either. "
Now, do you explain the exploitative nature of international finance capital, vis-a-vis the apartheid regime, or head for a pub?
