Off-Space and on the Sidelines: A Reply to Marx and Feltham-King

Abstract

Marx and Feltham-King offer an insightful critique of the special focus section of the South African Journal of Psychology (SAJP) (volume 35 number 3 2005) on ‘racial’ contact and isolation in everyday life. They note several methodological limitations of the studies presented and point to some potential misinterpretations of the overall message. In this response, we clarify and defend the rationale of the special focus section and acknowledge its limitations. We also argue, however, that Marx and Feltham-King's commentary fails to offer any forward-looking vision of how to develop psychological research on ‘race segregation’ in South Africa. What is required now is a concrete programme of work that advances our knowledge of the issues at the heart of this exchange.

Keywords

isolation methodology race racialisation racism segregation South Africa

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