Author Shares Family Trauma Amid Post-WWII Deep South Cotton Farming Struggles

Recent discussions on race and social justice highlight ongoing tensions and differing perspectives in the U.S. and South Africa. In the U.S., memorial events commemorated George Floyd's death five years ago, emphasizing systemic racism's persistence, as voiced by Black American photographer Adam Solveig. Conversely, the Trump administration has been criticized for its contradictory stance on civil rights and affirmative action, promoting policies that undermine diversity efforts while claiming white men face the most discrimination. In South Africa, diversity specialist Teresa Oakley-Smith condemned white individuals longing for apartheid-era privileges, particularly responding to Afrikaans musician Steve Hofmeyer's controversial remarks about racial slurs and blackface, underscoring the importance of context in race-related expressions. These events reflect enduring struggles around race, historical memory, and the challenge of fostering unity amid unresolved social issues. Meanwhile, Edward Llewellyn's memoir recounts personal resilience against mental illness and child abuse on a South Carolina cotton farm, offering a parallel narrative of endurance amid adversity.