TWO DOGS AND FREEDOM: Children of the Townships Speak Out

A sentimental plea from the children of the black townships of South Africa for release from their system of enforced second-class status. At first glance a children's book, it really is the power politics of the region reduced to its most simple form--every man's cry for dignity and respect. This collection of children's letters, essays, and responses to questions was undertaken under the aegis of The Open School, a cultural education program that runs workshops for young people, and was originally published in Braamfontein, South Africa. The title derives from the response of one boy of eight who dreams of having eventually ""a wife and two children, a boy and a girl, and a big house and two dogs and freedom."" There are three sections in this very short collection. The first contains the children's memories of life ""In the Townships."" The second gives their feedback on ""What Our Parents Say,"" while the third spells out their hopes for ""A New South Africa."" Interspersed throughout the letters (which are published in their original handwriting) are the children's pencil sketches of scenes in their lives, which sadly seem to depict repeatedly policemen chasing, beating, or shooting the children. Moving testimony from the pens of babes.