'Ebola racism': how the world is discriminating against Africans
From schools to borders, 'hysteria' surrounding the Ebola virus is leading some to shun contact with Africans
Increasing anxiety and fear over the Ebola virus has led to what many commentators have dubbed "Ebola racism".
"People are being shunned and mocked for having visited, or even for simply having been born in, Africa – and anywhere in Africa will do, afflicted with Ebola or not," writes The Intercept's Andrew Jones.
He argues that the "hysteria" surrounding the virus in the West is an example of "ignorant discrimination that immigrants in general and Africans specifically have endured for decades".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
So, how are Africans being discriminated against?
In everyday life
A young Guinean football player was driven off the pitch in Pennsylvania following chants of "Ebola" from the opposing team. "There were tears coming down his eyes," his guardian told ABC news. He was "visibly shaken" because he still has family in the region and fears for their safety, he added. Other African immigrants speak of people moving seats on buses and trains because of their skin colour and accent or refusing to shake their hands.
In education
In the US, Navarro College rejected applications from Nigerian students due to Ebola fears, even though the country has since been declared Ebola-free. Several people also pointed out that Texas had had more cases of the Ebola virus than Nigeria in that week. The college said in a statement: "At this time, we believe it is the responsible thing to do to postpone our recruitment in those nations that the Centres for Disease Control and the US State Department have identified as at risk."
Closer to home, a school in Stockport banned a healthy nine year old boy from attending class because he was from Sierra Leone. His mother told the Daily Telegraph it was the result of a "wave of hysteria" from "ignorant parents". She said: "We've been met with leper-type attitudes from wealthy people overreacting and trying to protect themselves from a threat which isn't there."
When house-hunting
A student from Sierra Leone was refused accommodation by two Norwich landlords due to Ebola fears, The Guardian reports. The refusal letter he received read: "Under normal circumstance[s] your profile would be a great profile to be one of our lodgers. However [due to the] epidemic, we have decided not to accept anyone that has been anywhere near the outbreak."
When travelling
Several countries, including Jamaica and Colombia have closed their borders to anyone arriving from Sierra Leone, Liberia or Guinea. Republicans in the US are calling for Obama to do the same in order to "protect the nation", despite contradictory advice from global health bodies which say such efforts will only serve to worsen the situation. The UN's chief said such measures were an example of anti-African prejudice, the New York Times reports.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published