Essay Questions

What are the evils of apartheid according to the author?

Es'kia is born and brought up in a ghetto in South Africa during the apartheid regime. During this period, the white minority does everything possible to make sure that it remains in control by subjecting the majority of the blacks to absolute poverty. The apartheid segregation rules ensure that blacks have no access to good schools, hospitals, roads, schools, and other vital social amenities. Anything good is preserved for the few white minorities. Es’kia describes these segregation rules are brutal and discriminative.

How does the theme of oppression manifest itself in the Down Second Avenue?

The poor people living in South Africa are under the strict watchful eye of the military. The apartheid regime ensures that there is no African who breaks the laid down segregation rules. The police system oppresses the poor people who go against the apartheid rules. Es’kia is against this kind of oppression and he does various publications and campaigns against this regime. Es’kia’s publications expose the evils of apartheid against the poor South Africans to the world.

What is the role of education in fighting the evils of apartheid?

The author of this autobiography illustrates that the evils of apartheid can only be defeated using the power of education. Most blacks are subjected to absolute poverty and they are denied access to good education to ensure that they are not informed on how to fight for their rights. The author struggles to attain his education and he is fortunate to publish his first book at the age of 20. He ends up becoming a teacher and a critic of the apartheid regime. During this period, the few educated blacks run a serious campaign against apartheid and their contribution does a lot in ending the regime.