XENOPHOBIA AND RACISM ON THE RISE: CAN THAT STOP?
When was the last time you saw a racist attack on the street? If recently, that proves that xenophobia is on the rise. Xenophobia, a Greek word meaning dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries, is steadily growing in the western world: Europe and Northern America. But how can that stop?
Nothing has contributed more in that recent upsurge than terrorism. As we all know, since last summer millions of refugees have fled the Middle East and Northern Africa asking for shelter in Europe, due to unrest in their home countries. But when there is fear that among refugees are also terrorists, and that fear is proved to be true, how can some people not show what they feel, even if it is a mistake to accuse all those unfortunate people of being terrorists? Especially after the Paris attacks, many Europeans are afraid of everyone who is Muslim, be they migrant or refugee, man or woman.
In contrast to those, others who are intelligent can understand the truth: not every Arab is a warrior of the Islamic State. They would disagree because they want to provide with aid people who are homeless and without a certain future. Many volunteers have gathered clothes, medicines and many other things for those who need them, showing them their support, which is what we all should do, as much as we can.
In conclusion, if you ask me, I would have to say that it is useless to be afraid of others, only because they are different to you. The question is not how to send them back to their homelands, but how we can provide them with safety, help and support, which is exactly what they lack. So, let’s show them warmth and kindness. Let’s do that together!
ADAM ABDEL-HAMID-AHMED, Γ΄ Γυμνασίου