Tolerance and Different Cultures

 "Cry about the simple hell people give to other people - without even thinking. Cry about the hell white people give to coloured folks, without even stopping to think." "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." Nelle Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird  Quots  "  - " Europeans, Westerners, Russians, Arabs. If you were to get to know them, not as a category, but individually, then you can see how we are all, more or less, flesh and mind, the same. We can only recognize ourselves in the faces of the other. " Elif Shafak.                      It is a sad truth that racism, to a higher or lower degree, is a reality in most countries in the world. I read that it didn't exist before the slave trade. Anyhow, Arabs were the first and last in modern times to ship millions of Africans out of  the continent as slaves. The total figure for the 19th century was 1,2 millions slaves to Arabia. Most of the Arab trade slaves did not regain freedom, unlike those in Europe and America. Tunisia was the first country to abolish slavery. 10 - 15 % of the Tunisian population are "of colour" (should one call the others colourless?) many are descendants of slaves. Possible compensation for the horrible past appears to be unthinkable, instead several citizens discriminate these Tunisian folks of colour and shameless ignorant  persons nowadys sometimes  even address black folks with  words like " Abid" (slave in Arabic). Very sad and embarrassing for a civilized society. James Baldwin once explained racism which is widespread among poor uneducated white day labourers:  They want to think that there is a group of people who are "even less worthy" than they are. In 2021 approximately 21,000 sub-saharan African immigrants lived in Tunisia, many arrived legally to work or study here. But due to complex administration procedure, often experienced as blown up bureaucracy, (Tunisians created a good satire: "On the Divan in Tunisia") 60% don't have valid residency permits, even students attending private expensive universities that costs more than 3000 Dinar in a year. These people are given on arrival a 3 months permit to stay in the country. If they don't manage to achieve an extention in time they have to pay 80 Dinar for every month they stay byond that date. In December 2022 approx 9,000 refugees and asylum seekers came from countries like Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia according to the figures of the UN Refugee Agency. Undocumented migrants who want to leave have to pay a fine for overstaying their visas. In Tunisia many, in particular from the better off areas at the coasts, in the North and middle of the country, feel they belong rather to Europe than Africa. They believe their culture is more European and are proud if they have lighter coloured skin. A simular phenomenon exists in India, where Anglo-Indians like to marry among their group in order to keep their lighter colour and continue to believe they are superior. Anyhow, which culture belongs to which part of the world? After all the craddle of mankind stood in Africa. In Germany some stupid ignorant politicians and others stated that Islam doesn't belong to the Christian Occidental culture. Even if one wants to ignore that meanwhile several millions of Moslims live in Germany, neither the very popular beer, coffee or potato, algebra nor letters were invented in Germany. The churches structures, the "dresses" of clergyman including the pope and also the clothes of nuns look quite oriental. Once upon a time sciences were much advanced in the Orient and the Occident slowly learned from them. It seems to me mankind civilization is no longer developing. Scientists say people are getting less intelligent. Sub-saharan folks are nowadays suffering discrimination in Tunisia. They are accused of wanting to destroy the culture of their host country. Some are said to slaughter cats and dogs for meals or strange ceremonies. Tunisians are understandably horrified. Police should be able cope with this, so that those backward individuals understand that they must stop or face prison and deportation. In Al Alaoui, near Tunis, shopkeepers insulted and refused to serve students of colour. Neglected and disturbed uneducated children spit on them, swear und throw stones.  Prophet Mohamed clearly stated that Allah doesn't allow racism. Anyhow, it is stupid to think all Sub-Saharan peoples are the same ( are all Tunisians alike?), they share the same continent with us. Unfortunately many, including students, are now frightened of racism attacks, only leave their buildings if necessary and they are well adviced to carry documentation. In addion they fear unjustified  arrests in the streets, on public transport or even at work. Groups of young Tunisians gather outside of buildings where migrants live. One building has already been ransacked, many items destroyed or burnt. In Germany years ago a diplomat (of "wrong colour") got attacked by racists who accused him of being a froud asylum seeker wanting to exploit the social system. Though times are difficult, Sub-Saharan folks cannot be blamed for shortages of basic food items, the reason why is corruption, theft and greed of local citizens. Recently 20,000 tons of coffee were discovered hidden in Kantaoui (Sousse). Greedy citizens were intending to do big business during Ramadan. Thus it is not surprising that coffee has become a rare and very expensive item. Let us all remember Tunisia used to be praised as a friendly, tolerate state that made foreigners, including students and residents from other countries, not just tourists, feel welcomed!