On August 18th, 1977, a South African anti-apartheid activist named Steve Biko was arrested in Cape Town. Biko was very involved in the black rights movement in the 60’s and 70’s during apartheid in South Africa, and was expelled multiple times from prestigious schools for his beliefs. He coined the term, “Black is Beautiful,” as well.
On August 18th, Biko was arrested at a road block in Cape Town, and brutally tortured. On September 11th, 1977, the South African police transported Biko to another holding cell, completely naked. He later died of his wounds on September 12, 1997.
The police told the South African public, Biko’s death was a suicide, that he went on a hunger strike and died from starvation. The coroner’s report disputes that, though, showing signs of blunt force trauma and a brain hemorrhage. Although Biko’s death was a tragedy, he was quoted as saying, “It is better to die for an idea that will live than to live for an idea that will die.” We, as mourners, can live with the fact that Biko’s death was not for nothing.
Apartheid in South Africa ended 1994, seventeen years after Biko passed. Nelson Mandela was quoted as saying, “They had to kill him in order to prolong the life of apartheid.” Mandela also gave a speech about Biko, which you can read here: http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?id=2875
Today, you can remember Biko in a number of ways.
- Read poetry- Benjamin Zephaniah has an amazing poem dedicated to Steve Biko called “Biko the Greatest,” which you can read here: http://www.beatknowledge.org/2010/09/12/biko-the-greatness-a-poem-by-benjamin-zephaniah/
- Watch movies- In 1987, Richard Attenborough directed a movie called, “Cry Freedom,” starring Denzel Washington as Steve Biko. (Unfortunately, the movie is not on Netflix.
- Go online- You can visit the Steve Biko Foundation’s website and educate yourself more on the subject, which you can see here: http://sbf.org.za/steve-biko.php
- Listen to music- Peter Gabriel wrote an anti-apartheid song called ‘Biko,’ which you can listen to here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1G8nVMg6Io Steel Pulse wrote a song in dedication to Steve Biko, as well, called “Biko’s Kindred Lament,” which you can listen to here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFZZ7JJ-dzw
Have an amazing day, and keep Biko in your heart.
ourvoicetheirvoice 