Staff Reports
In a twist that could only be described as the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of media bias, the recent arrival of white refugees from South Africa has sent certain political commentators into a tailspin. It’s a puzzling meltdown to observe, even in these times when the left tends to react dramatically. One might have thought the country’s media pundits had seen it all before, but clearly, the prospect of talking about white refugees irks them in new and fascinating ways.
Don Lemon, no longer constrained by the shackles of cable news decorum, has emerged as a vocal figure in this uproar. His focus? The South African farmer, specifically, those who are white. Lemon paints a picture as if these farmers, by their skin color and land ownership, are somehow culpable for broader economic disparities. He implies that since they own 87% of South Africa’s fertile land, they’re inherently part of the problem. But here lies a missed detail: land ownership doesn’t come with an instruction guide on how to wield it profitably or ethically. It’s not like anyone can simply hand over a farm and expect green pastures and bountiful harvests to spring into existence without skill and effort.
The progressives seem to think farming is equivalent to owning a perpetual vending machine where prosperity is just a button away. For folks who campaign so fervently about wealth redistribution, they seem to have little appreciation for the hard work and dedication involved in making land productive. Farmland doesn’t stay fertile by accident. The sweat and toil of these farmers, who’ve sustained these lands over generations, has to account for something, right?
Moreover, what’s often glossed over is the fact that land reform efforts that prioritize taking land from white farmers can frequently lead to disastrous outcomes. Take neighboring Zimbabwe as an example. The forcible land seizures there led not to a vibrant agricultural utopia but to economic disaster and food shortages. Land ownership might be uneven, but farming skills aren’t distributed evenly either. Without acknowledging the expertise needed to farm successfully, redistributive policies are bound to fail.
It’s rather ironic that proponents of equality and fairness are ready to dismiss an entire group’s legitimate efforts simply because of the color of their skin. The notion that all white South African landowners are monolithic and privileged is not just lazy; it’s counterproductive. In a world clamoring for nuance, Lemon and his cohorts seem content parroting narratives without considering the broader complexities.
So, as political commentators weave their predictable web of outrage, let’s stay grounded in reality. White South African refugees coming to new shores are not villains in this tale of agriculture and economics. They are individuals, with stories and struggles, deserving of a fair shot, just like anyone else. Perhaps it’s time to stop judging farmers by their skin color and start understanding them by their contributions and challenges in cultivating the land.
