Sister_Katie

I would like to know how to respond when I see xenophobia in public and if the person being harassed would want me to step in and say something. I don't want to be racially insensitive and some tips when I see harassment would be helpful. Thank you.

Months ago, I came across a bystander’s guide to Islamophobic harassment created by an illustrator and filmmaker whogoes by Maeril. You can check out her Tumblr page here. Her guide explains how to react when you see Islamophobicharassment or really any type of xenophobic harassment in public.

The guide illustrates when you see xenophobic harassment,then one should ignore the attacker and engage the person being harassed. Ithought this technique was really interesting and can be applied to any sort ofxenophobic incident we come across.

In psychology, we’re taught about the bystander effect whichis a phenomenon where people do not help a victim when other people arepresent. We always expect someone else to step in. Well, when everyone has thatmentality, then who will help the victim? No one. We have a responsibility tostand up for others when we see an injustice committed. I’ve seen a coupleviral videos of someone on a plane or train getting verbally harassed and acommon theme I’ve noticed is that people will record the incident or tweetabout it but rarely will anyone actually intervene and help the victim of theharassment.

I think that the person beingharassed would want someone to step in and ask if they’re okay. It’s alwayssafer to only interact with the victim and see if they need help being escortedto a safe space away from the person harassing them. If you feel comfortableescorting them, then do that and follow up to see if the person is fine beforeleaving. In some cases, based on your judgement, you may need to call the authorities.

I feel that the United States is more United and tolerable to all races then it has ever been. Also, Trumps comments when heard in context, while strongly opinionated, are not racist but nationalistic. Why are you so insistent about promoting 'old homelands' of our ancestors that most modern Americans have never even visited? Why do all three of you spend so much time and effort advocating for specific races and not for the entire population? Why I should I believe you are not the problem?

Thank you for your sharing your perspectiveand posing your questions. It is true that tremendous strides have been made inAmerica toward tolerance and acceptance of different races, religions, genderidentities, sexual orientations, and other traits. That said, such tolerance ishardly universal and there continue to be unacceptable inequities in ourcountry. And even when rights and justice are won for those previously deniedor discriminated against, it is our duty as Americans to ensure that thoserights are maintained and not threatened. I don’t feel that we are promoting‘old homelands.’ Rather I think our intent is to recognize and celebrate thefact that this nation is made up of all types of people from places all overthe world. The promise of our democracy is that everyone is treated equally andfairly and it is up to each and every one of us to push for the fulfillment ofthat promise. If and when we appear to be advocating on behalf of one specificgroup, it is only because they have become visibly and vocally targeted. Infact, though, it is through the defending of individual groups that we do infact advocate for the entire population. Any group could be next; our goal iseliminate that threat so that we can all respect our differences while recognizingour shared humanity.