What does Xenophobia mean and what actions can be considered Xenophobic?

Recently, I was confronted with comments that ridiculed my university choices and ridiculed my patriotism for my country. I was addressed as the ‘Nigerian Girl’ and not by my name. I was told that because I wanted to go to another country (not South Africa) for university, I was a Nigerian girl that wanted to be American. I was asked about the level of education in my country, and why I did not move back to my country for schooling. I was also a victim of a comment saying that my patriotism definitely showed in the fact that I was a Nigerian girl, schooling in South Africa. I was asked why I did not move back to Nigeria, because, if I didn’t, I would not be truly patriotic. I was asked what I wanted to be labeled as, whether I wanted to be labeled as the Nigerian girl or the American Nigerian girl who did not know what her roots were. The Nigerian girl who wanted to abandon her country, or ‘abandoned’ her country because she moved to South Africa.  

All of these comments were made by an authority figure in my daily school life. When confronted with these comments that denigrated my choices and me to the point where I was referred to solely as a Nigerian girl and not by my given name, I realized something critical. I recognized the critical nature of defending my country. Standing up for who I was and not allowing any threat aimed to make me ashamed of my origins to affect me.

I realized that I was always going to be a Nigerian Girl, and nothing could change that. But I realized something else. I was not going to be A Nigerian Girl. I was going to be The Nigerian Girl. Those two are confused very often. One means that I am merely A Nigerian girl who is not different from anyone else. The second means, that I will be The Nigerian Girl who makes a name for herself.  

I was insulted that this individual believed I should be ashamed of my country; this individual was not pleased with my response, as that would never occur. Whatever happens, I will always be a Nigerian.

What, then, is xenophobia?

It refers to an aversion or prejudice toward people from other countries.

How to fight against it?  

Do not let it get to you. I know that may be hard because when I am targeted by racist, xenophobic or tribalistic words (and trust me, that is often) I get angry and I want to react. However, through my experiences, such as being asked when I would be deported by a classmate or being referred to as a 'Nigerian girl,' I learned that if I reacted angrily, they won. The only way to combat it and make them angry is to succeed and address it with class. Focus on your end goal, and kill them with success, because the anger seeing you succeed, is the revenge that you need. Avoid being bothered by taunts and insults, as they are meaningless. What matters is how you react to it and whether you allow it to affect you or march forward and look on, intent on achieving your goal.

So let this be your lesson for today. We Africans need to stick together as Africans. Not as individuals. To some people, I will be Kamdi, to others, I will be Black Kamdi, to some, I may be Black, Nigerian Kamdi, and to the rest, I may be black, Nigerian, Igbo Kamdi. But I will always be Kamdi and nothing can ever change that. I may be from Nigeria, but I will always be an African. No matter where I am from. I will always be a Nigerian. But I will be The Nigerian Girl. Be proud of your country, and be confident.  

 I am Kamdi Okonjo 

#LetsSpeakAgainstXenophobia 

#LetsEducateTheTeenagers