THE xenophobia is the name we use in reference to the feeling of hostility and hatred expressed against people because they are foreigners (or because they are seen as foreigners). This social prejudice has become more common due to the large flow of migrations that have taken place.
Xenophobia is manifested against different groups across the planet. In Europe, for example, Arabs and Muslims have been the target of great prejudice, as well as Mexicans and Latinos, in general, in the United States. In Brazil, this problem is also experienced, especially against the Venezuelan immigrants and Haitians.
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Meaning
The word xenophobia came from the junction of two words from the Greek language: xenos (foreigner, stranger) and phobos (fear). Therefore, it means "fear of the different” or “fear of the foreigner”. In the classic sense of the word, its meaning was often used to portray the aversion people may feel for a foreign group, but it can also be used for aversion against people from the same country, but who are considered outsiders.
The hatred and disgust that characterize xenophobia are generally related to historical, social, economic, cultural, religious issues, etc. xenophobia is always fruit of ignorance on the other and is accompanied by stereotypes that reinforce prejudice about a particular group. This prejudice can also be accompanied by ethnocentrism, the notion that one culture is superior to another.
As it is a prejudice, xenophobia is directly related to violent and discriminatory attitudes and behavior. Thus, xenophobic people tend to practice attitudes that segregate (exclude) those considered foreigners. Some even practice acts of physical violence.
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Examples of xenophobia
Xenophobia is directly related to the phenomenon of migration, which characterizes the world today. The migration of people occurs due to multiple factors, such as fleeing from violence or war, looking for better life opportunities, etc. This makes certain people of specific nationalities or regions the targets of prejudice and stereotypes, as well as victims of xenophobia.
Xenophobia in the world
Man holding sign with xenophobic message USA. On the poster, it says: “keep the Syrians out” (from the US).**
In different parts of the world, mainly in the United States and Europe, xenophobia against people of Arab origin or those who practice the Islam. This prejudice is directly related to the stereotype that exists regarding Arabs and Muslims, seen as terrorists.
This stereotype has become popular because of the action of Islamic fundamentalist terrorist groups operating parts of the Middle East and North Africa and made famous by terrorist attacks. Xenophobia against Arabs and Muslims has contributed to marginalize these groups, who do not receive the same opportunities and are viewed with suspicion by many, and are victims of violence.
Another very common case of xenophobia happens in the United States against Mexicans and Latinos (including Brazilians) in general. Large numbers of people from Mexico and other Central American nations move to the United States. Due to this large flow of migration, xenophobia can manifest itself in people who are afraid that, with the arrival of immigrants, the number of jobs will decrease or that violence will increase, etc.
Also access:See more information about Xenophobia in Europe
Xenophobia in Brazil
Brazilians in many parts of the world, especially in Europe and the United States, are victims of xenophobia and, therefore, treated with prejudice. This reality, however, does not prevent the existence of xenophobia against other people here in our country. In Brazil, there are practices of xenophobia against foreigners, but also against Brazilians from different regions of the country.
Foreign groups that suffer a lot from xenophobia are the Haitians and Venezuelans, because of the large number of migrants of these nationalities in Brazil. Other nationalities that are often targets of prejudice in our country are Bolivians, Angolans, Mozambicans and people of other African nationalities.
But there is also another side to xenophobia in Brazil. The one that is played against Brazilians who come from other regions of the country. This is very common in places that receive a lot of people looking for jobs and a better life. In general, this prejudice is manifested a lot against people from the North and Northeast regions of Brazil.
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Xenophobia and racism
Xenophobia is generally directly related to racism, prejudice against people because of their physical characteristics, especially their skin color. This is noticeable when we witness people from different backgrounds receiving different treatment because of their appearance.
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*Image credits: Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock
**Image credits: the katz / Shutterstock
By Daniel Neves
Graduated in History
