Through My Eyes

Today is Heritage Day, it is not a holiday for me but I don't mind. I love what I do and my workspace is suddenly clear and free of bad energy so waking up at four am is a breeze. Can't wait to create this week's edition. Today while I get this issue out, I will be thinking of my heritage and the heritage of my ancestors. I come from rich legacy passed down to me by very strong and ambitious parents.

On the eve of our dramatic escape from Poland, my father pulled my brother and I aside and said, "We do not know where we will land up or where this journey will take us, but one thing that we must never forget is where we come from."

Even at that tender, innocent young age I knew what he was talking about and felt his anxiety. I have to admit that I have always understood how important my heritage was to me and could never understand why other people did not the same about their heritage.

I am amazed when I meet Jewish people who do not obey the Sabbath and eat pork. I literally want to cry because I know how hard millions of Jews had to fight and are still fighting to be Jewish.

It upsets me when a mother does not teach her children her mother tongue. I can't understand how you would not want to share that with your own flesh and blood.

But I guess what upsets me the most is when I get a phone call from an individual, who after almost half a century living off this rich land, bitches and moans about this country's shortcomings. Who after all this time still holds so tightly onto his heritage and the Imperialist ideals that he refuses to acknowledge the beauty and things that make this country so great.

"This country is going to the dogs," he yells at me, "its finished!" after which he begins to insult the municipality and all their employees, sighting the state of the roads in Ballito as an indication of their total incompetence.

When I tried to tell him that I was not that concerned about the state of the roads, that he should see the road that takes us to our home in Poland, most times we cannot drive to our home and end up leaving the car on the side of the road and walking for half a kilometre in freezing cold. There are much more important issues facing our country and the people living here.

Look I might be delusional, and maybe you are right Sir! But while I acknowledge the value of my heritage I also embrace this country and everything it has given me. It is now firmly a part of my heritage.

You can hold on to your Cockney accent and all your imperialist ideals but do not bash this country or its people, if this place makes you so unhappy then rather go back to where you came from!

To all you out there, may your fabulous Heritage Day bring meaning to your life!