The last few days have been tragic and dreadful. There have been violent expressions of xenophobia, with South Africans attacking and destroying Nigerian-owned businesses. The attacks escalated, seeing a number of Nigerians brutally murdered.
TRIGGER WARNING
This is madness 😭😭😭 #SayNoToXenophobia pic.twitter.com/PmwwlKZyk6
— B O L U 🤴🏾 (@LifeOfTMB) September 3, 2019
#SouthAfrica police seen shooting a Nigerian who was trying to video them.@olaniyanabbeye @NigeriaGov @honilatte#Xenophobia #XenophobicAttack #EnoughIsEnough #Xenophobic #SayNoToXenophobia #Nigeria pic.twitter.com/LxLvWbuJMT
— Ayemojubar 🇳🇬🇨🇦 (@ayemojubar) September 3, 2019
In the face of the Xenophobic attacks, politicians, celebrities and influencers have generic, politically correct talking points.
Okay, pic.twitter.com/hf1gViNwgW
— Penfold (@remiopakunle) September 3, 2019
Some aloof and condescending celebrities even blamed Nigerians abroad for the treatment they received:
We are responsible for how people treat us…
— Kate Henshaw (@HenshawKate) September 3, 2019
And others that thinly veil their harmful sentiments with shallow images:
Are you talking about this guy? https://t.co/yL80gu5abY pic.twitter.com/pga6APk5ky
— AKA (@akaworldwide) September 3, 2019
It is easy to give in to apathy, insensitivity and misguided rhetoric. But before you do, here’s what a few people have something to say about the violence:
1. This speech by South African politician Julius Malema
“When it is a white person in South Africa undocumented is called an investor, including Indians and Chinese…..Self hate must come to an end!” ~ Julius Malema
Africa we are one, Nigerians are our brothers. Let’s be tolerant.#Xenophobia pic.twitter.com/nlqcf7UceP
— Cyprian Nyakundi Escobar (@CisNyakundi) September 2, 2019
2. Confirmation that the alleged backlash against MTN is false
The Mtn office said to be burnt in apapa is false.
The picture is from 2015 the office in ilorin caught fire
We Nigerians are civilized people we dont act like animals #SayNoToXenophobia pic.twitter.com/amYZusJdcG— Dami and 45 others (@DamiTheOG_) September 3, 2019
3. A statement from the South African-born comedian, Trevor Noah, condemning the xenophobic acts
He said it all. Complete misplaced anger. Africans are not foreigners in Africa!!!#SayNoToXenophobia pic.twitter.com/EOs6CAMUn6
— Aramide (@AramideMusic) September 3, 2019
4. A statement from the President of Ghana
Lazy SA Youth check through your history. #SayNoToXenophobia #Xenophobia pic.twitter.com/pOAahU8JNy
— Jones (@Ihuma_Jones) September 3, 2019
5. An angry call to action
South Africa has continuously chosen to wage a war against their fellow Africa countries . They’ve decided to be the black sheep so they should be ready for the consequences of that. We’ll go to all extremes. Cut them off everywhere #SayNoToXenophobia
— ebele. (@ebelee_) September 3, 2019
6. Evidence that the South African law enforcement is in on the xenophobia
#SouthAfrica police seen shooting a Nigerian who was trying to video them.@olaniyanabbeye @NigeriaGov @honilatte#Xenophobia #XenophobicAttack #EnoughIsEnough #Xenophobic #SayNoToXenophobia #Nigeria pic.twitter.com/LxLvWbuJMT
— Ayemojubar 🇳🇬🇨🇦 (@ayemojubar) September 3, 2019
7. This call to reciprocate the energy by boycotting or acquiring South African-owned businesses in Nigeria
If Nigeria has to break ties with South Africa, let’s take off all the gloves fully. FG should assist Adenuga’s Glo in acquiring MTN, and also support Prince Ebeano in acquiring Shoprite Nigeria. All Nigerians in South Africa should return & Vice- versa. NTA can acquire DSTV too.
— Mr Stanley Nwabia (@MrStanleyNwabia) September 2, 2019
8. Dremo’s annoyance at the government’s complacency
Our government is not responsive to any issue we face as a people.The real reason no country respects us as nigerians,just imagine that it was an american citizen that was burnt to death in S.A and see how the government will respond.Till nw not a word from our government🤦🏾♂️#shame
— Drizzy🔥🐉 (@Dremodrizzy) September 3, 2019
9. Atiku’s statement
Reported attacks against Nigerians in South Africa is unacceptable and stands condemned. Urgent steps need to be taken with the SA authorities and the African Union to bring an end to this ill wind that can only end up destroying the fabric of our African brotherhood. -AA
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) September 3, 2019
10. And this final reminder that, in a way, we perpetuate harmful sentiments without knowing it
Watching those championing no to Xenophobia without realizing the tribalism you spew is the same hate.
Just because you aren’t mob killing doesn’t make your hate different. This is where it will end. This is where hate goes. It goes to war.
— Written By (@DamiElebe) September 3, 2019
Xenophobia is rooted in hatred, misinformation and also stereotypes. We can be guilty of harbouring these same feelings about other people. It is important to know the carnage that can result from it so we can guard our thoughts and actions ahead of time.
