Our Collective Shame

As things calm down, I took time to reflect on Xenophobia.

Even though I am far from the epicenter of the Xenophobia attacks, the last few weeks has not been void of its own worries. Yet cushioned by my friends and colleagues amongst a majority of very beautiful minded South Africans that I know who have expressed their disgust and have been apologetic for the actions of some people.

The conversation usually goes like...

Eish bra, I hope you are unaffected, I am very sorry for this and you know I am not Zulu, I am Xhosa / Sotho / Pedi / Tswana / Shangaan / Venda / Tsonga / Ndebele / Pondo / Swati et cetera and I am Zulu but not from KZN, Though I am Zulu from KZN but am not like those who attack foreigners.

I appreciate their concerns, but I actually feel sorry for them as they try to dissociate themselves from these hooligans by distinction along tribal and class inclinations even though I know they are good people.

And I share in their pain of been stereotyped as a Xenophobe because it reminds me of how hard I initially tried to explain why I am not like the Nigerians who commit crimes in diaspora. Overtime it became hectic having to explain the tribal differences between Ibo, Yoruba, Hausa, Benin et cetera.

Then I began to realize that people identify me first as a Nigerian and whatever I exhibit is attributed to my nationality not as a Christian from Magongo-Ogori who is culturally Yoruba and geographically from the Middle-belt / North central as I may distinct myself.

Media houses outside Africa report Xenophobia as been perpetrated by Africans of South African descent. The point is that, on the world stage we are identified first as Africans before our various nationalities and tribal / sectional inclination. Everything you do is attributed to your identity as an African, and Nationality before identifying you by your tribe, family and religious inclinations.

Xenophobia to the world is a shame to Africa, to other Africans a shame to South Africa and to other South Africans a shame to those who perpetrate and condone all acts of xenophobia either by their actions or inaction.

We must realize that we all share in a tripartite identity, firstly as humans, secondly as Africans, thirdly as citizens of our various nations, people of the same tribe, family and faith.

Therefore we must unite against all forms of crimes that plagues our society because a harm done to one is a harm done to the one identity we all share, Humanity.

God Bless you.

Akefo Moses Adesina