We need to challenge every negative ethnic, racist, bigoted remark

Ilhan Omar may not be a familiar name in Kenya, but the lady who spent four years in Dadaab refugee camp has become a household name in USA since she was recently elected Congresswoman for Minnesota. The 37-year-old is the first naturalised citizen from Africa as well as the first non-white women elected in Minnesota. Her rise is meteoric considering that she left Dadaab in 1992 and only became a US citizen in 2000. Her progress in public life could probably only happen in America, the land of opportunities. Yet, Omar has discovered that not everyone welcomes her success, nor wants to hear what she has to say about Donald Trump’s immigration policy. Together with three other congresswomen of colour – all born in America – they have come under fire from Trump’s early morning tweets.

Trump has frequently mentioned migrants from Latin America as part of an ‘invasion of rapists and drug lords’. The four elected representatives challenged his racist and callous remarks. He duly replied that if they were not happy with his views they should ‘go back to where they came from.’ Of course in dismissing the rights of citizens whom he represented he conveniently forgot that his wife Melanie was born in Slovenia. Arguably too the only group who can justifiably demand that folk return to where they came from are the indigenous Americans.

Trump has frequently used racist and bigoted language since coming to office. Such hate speech has become so regular that we often fail to measure its impact on the ground. This week however proved that his racist language has negative and destructive effects after the slaughter in El Paso, Texas in which 22 were gunned down. The assailant had previously posted an online blog about the ‘invasion’ of Latinos to the USA. His tweets resonate with bigots, racists and white supremacists who can justify their own bigotry and hatred because after all, the President himself is spouting the same dangerous rant. When Trump tells you to ‘go home’ he is really saying you don’t belong despite your citizenship. The El Paso and Dayton attacks of last week were the 250th mass gun attack in the US this year and we are only in early August. These attacks have left 277 dead and 1,080 with gunshot injuries.

It is sad that the land of opportunity has become so dangerous, hostile and divided. When the home of liberal democracy gives legitimacy to xenophobia and racism then it is no surprise that such ignorance and hatred can have a ripple effect around the world. Britain has witnessed an increase in racist attacks since the Brexit vote three years ago. Don’t be surprised if burka-wearing women are assaulted in England since Boris Johnson once derogatively referred to the Muslim head dress as a ‘letterbox’. South African has been dogged with xenophobic attacks on fellow Africans for the past decade.

Nearer home we need to recall how ‘madoadoa’ language of tribalism and justification for ethnic cleansing has caused chaos and violence in Kenya at election time. It all starts easily as we too well know but when ignorant and alienated citizens are fed propaganda, lies and hatred then things can get out of hand overnight. Tension around the 2022 General Election is already evident and disturbing because it is still of an ethnic nature. Old unresolved issues of land, wealth and perceived entitlement are emerging at a dangerous pace. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission appears to have become tame and weak at a time when its voice and energy are needed most. 

The world imagined that racism and xenophobia everywhere were disappearing. However, they have resurfaced and been given legitimacy by the likes of Trump and Johnson. This may be the dying kicks of the white supremacists and hopefully that is the case. Arguably, Trump was the reaction and product of those who resented a non-white President occupying the White House for two terms.

Whatever the case, all of us need to watch our attitudes, language and values. We need to challenge every negative ethnic, racist, bigoted attitude we hear. We must oppose every sign of hatred and division in society because these are the seeds of conflict, violence and chaos in all of our societies. It may take another generation before we eventually realise that the other is our brother but we are getting there eventually and Ilhan Omar remains an inspiration.

- Gabriel Dolan [email protected] @GabrielDolan1

Business
Premium Financial hardships dampen Easter celebrations among Kenyans
Business
Premium Looming crisis as top lenders stare at Sh500b in bad loans
Business
Premium Water PS Korir put on the spot over Sh14m dam land
Business
Premium Ruto's food security hopes facing storm amid fake fertiliser scam