Language is undeniably one of the most important aspects of our world. Without it, communication would not only be difficult but nearly impossible. Language can also be used as a healing tool.  For me, whenever I talk about how I am feeling or problems that I have, I always feel relieved after.  Even though talking about things gives me a feeling of relief, it does not always provide the same feelings for others.

In Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela’s book A Human Being Died That Night, she discusses the differences in how people dealt with the deaths of their family members.  Specifically in chapter five titled “The Language of Trauma”, Pumla talks to a woman named Mrs. Plaatjie about the death of her son.  First off, Pumla is a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC), and they often held public hearings.  At one of these hearings while the head of the Investigative Unit of the TRC was speaking, Pumla noticed a woman sitting in the audience with her back to the stage.  Pumla approached her and the woman turned and walked out of the room.  Pumlafollowed her and the woman asked her why she had come there and if the reason was to hurt the people there.  This woman was Mrs. Plaatjie.  She asked Pumla if she had come to open up everyone’s scars and if the TRC’s exercises would bring her son back. Pumla offered to take Mrs. Plaatjie home and there she proceeded to tell her story.

Mrs. Plaatjie’s son died at the age of 11.  While she told Pumla the story, she used a specific verb tense that had made the story seem like it was still happening. She used the present tense.  While referencing her son coming home from school on his break at 10:00am, Mrs. Plaatjie says, “He is doing all of this in a rush.  He is like that when he comes home during break”, and when telling about how he fixed himself a slice of bread with peanut butter she says, “He is still chewing his bread and holding it in his hand” (pg. 88).  To Pumla, these two references made the event seem so real and like it had just happened as she was sitting in the same chair as was Mrs. Plaatjie when this allhappened.  After the death of Themba, Mrs. Plaatjie’s son, Pumla recognizes all of the details before he was shot as treasured and sacred memories; memories that were not covered in blood.  From the crumbs left from the bread to the knife covered in peanut butter, these were the symbols of Themba’s last moments at home with his mother.

In my opinion, it was healthy for Mrs. Plaatjie to talk to Pumla about her son.  Before she did this, she had buried the memory deep inside her and “put grass over the past”.  This quote, to me, represents the fact that she wanted to put this memory away and never bring it up to anyone again.  In a way, this is very understandable.  No one should have to deal with their child being shot and killed, and anyone who does have to endure this pain is an extremely strong person.  On the other hand, if I were in her situation, I would want to keep the memory of my son alive.  Even though his life ended tragically, I would want to celebrate and remember every minute I had with him; goodor bad.  Since telling Pumla her story, I think Mrs. Plaatjie is on the road to successfully healing the wounds that the death of her son left her with.

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