Xenophobia:
Title
Xenophobia:
Subject
Justice for Somali’s in South Africa
Description
How does one even go about speaking of spilt blood? Can words revive and revere? I’m at a loss for words when I think the traumas suffered by oppressed people across the globe. It wasn’t long ago (19 years to be exact), that Black and immigrant communities suffered under the brutal system of apartheid with its institutionalized system of racism and separation, now foreign nationals seeking refuge are faced with violent acts of xenophobia. Competition for jobs has proven deadly for foreign expats here in South Africa. The international community is beginning to question the phenomena of these xenophobic attacks and the desensitization of such heinous injustices.
Looting the shops of Somali business owners has become a phenomenon that has enraged the diaspora who have been pleading for a call to action. Internationally, people are enraged, protesting, and putting up a united front to end these attacks. I’ve spent some time talking about this with my dad. Even before traveling to Cape Town, my family and friends were hesitant about my stay here. My dad feels particularly disheartened by these attacks. Pre-civil war Somalia, my dad worked in the political sphere and tells me about the aid/shelter Somalia provided to refuge South Africans during the apartheid area. A lot of the diaspora feel let down by the people and the government.
Some authorities are claiming that these violent acts are due to business rivalry as opposed to xenophobic charged attacks, others are arguing otherwise. My uncle told me about a video that is circulating around online of the death of a Somali man in South Africa (that has by now become popular on the net) who is tortured (stoned) to death. He argues that attacks on this level goes well beyond business rivalry. It is clear that there is a problem with violence in South Africa and it is time for resolve.
As a refugee, you come to think of your new home elsewhere as an opportunity for a new life and a safe haven away from terror, but for many Somali’s and refugees alike, this is not the case in South Africa. Families back home direly need financial support made by these businessmen, but its hard to make a living there for many. The disparities between the social classes are alarming. The lack of access to jobs and social services cause even a bigger drift amongst those that it hits the hardest. Apartheid might be over, but not much has changed for the African and Coloured communities.
As much sadness I feel over these conditions, I also have a sense of pride and hope that my conscious refuses to let go of. We are standing strong against all adversities (as history continues to show us). There is a contagious fighting spirit about the people here that lets me know that though there is strife, the struggle for justice never stops! The work being done here is remarkable and inspiring.
Looting the shops of Somali business owners has become a phenomenon that has enraged the diaspora who have been pleading for a call to action. Internationally, people are enraged, protesting, and putting up a united front to end these attacks. I’ve spent some time talking about this with my dad. Even before traveling to Cape Town, my family and friends were hesitant about my stay here. My dad feels particularly disheartened by these attacks. Pre-civil war Somalia, my dad worked in the political sphere and tells me about the aid/shelter Somalia provided to refuge South Africans during the apartheid area. A lot of the diaspora feel let down by the people and the government.
Some authorities are claiming that these violent acts are due to business rivalry as opposed to xenophobic charged attacks, others are arguing otherwise. My uncle told me about a video that is circulating around online of the death of a Somali man in South Africa (that has by now become popular on the net) who is tortured (stoned) to death. He argues that attacks on this level goes well beyond business rivalry. It is clear that there is a problem with violence in South Africa and it is time for resolve.
As a refugee, you come to think of your new home elsewhere as an opportunity for a new life and a safe haven away from terror, but for many Somali’s and refugees alike, this is not the case in South Africa. Families back home direly need financial support made by these businessmen, but its hard to make a living there for many. The disparities between the social classes are alarming. The lack of access to jobs and social services cause even a bigger drift amongst those that it hits the hardest. Apartheid might be over, but not much has changed for the African and Coloured communities.
As much sadness I feel over these conditions, I also have a sense of pride and hope that my conscious refuses to let go of. We are standing strong against all adversities (as history continues to show us). There is a contagious fighting spirit about the people here that lets me know that though there is strife, the struggle for justice never stops! The work being done here is remarkable and inspiring.
Creator
Amina
Source
Images from the internet. The bottom image was taken in Minnesota during the protest against recent attacks.
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