Positive Minds | Positive Stories | Edition 047

Dear Readers,

It is with a deep sense of gratitude and humility that I write to you today. My previous article on experiences of racism and discrimination at international airports has had an incredible response. With over 88,000 impressions, 811 reactions, 176 comments totalling over 23,000 words, and 54 reposts on LinkedIn, your engagement in this discussion is evident and powerful. These figures, which do not even consider reactions to reposts, testify to the critical importance of this issue for many of us. Today, I would like to highlight the most common discriminations and racism reported by you, my readers, and explore the solutions proposed to address them.

Common discrimination and racism:

Two major themes emerge from your responses: differential treatment based on race or nationality and excessive controls. Many of you have shared painful experiences of racial profiling, intrusive searches and disproportionate questioning, often in stark contrast to the treatment of non-African travellers. These experiences are not limited to Western airports; they are also found in African airports, revealing a sad irony and an additional complexity to this problem. 

Racism and discrimination at airports are rooted in a set of deeply entrenched racial prejudices and stereotypes. They reflect individual problems of prejudice and larger systems of domination and injustice. These stories underline the urgency of our struggle for equality and justice and the need for systemic change.

Stories of discrimination and racism:

Differential treatment based on race and nationality:

• Story 1: An African traveller in transit in Istanbul was isolated for additional screening despite having a valid visa and no suspicious travel history.

• Story 2: A traveller wearing a hijab was subjected to a thorough security check at Brussels airport, while her European partner passed through without any problems.

Excessive questioning and searching:

• Story 3: A French woman of African origin has been held up for hours at Casablanca airport by immigration officers questioning the authenticity of her French passport and has nearly missed her connecting flight to Paris.

• Story 4: An African student was detained for hours at Paris airport under the guise of security checks, almost missing his connecting flight.

Experiences at African airports:

• Story 5: A citizen of a French-speaking African country reported preferential treatment for Western travellers at his own national airport.

• Story 6: A European professional working in Africa was surprised to be discriminated against at Addis Ababa airport, where she was asked for additional documents not required of Africans.

Recommended solutions:

Given the powerful stories of discrimination and racism in travel, your suggested solutions focus on several key areas:

Education and awareness:

• Training for airport staff: Several of you suggested mandatory training on cultural diversity, racism awareness and implicit bias. This training could help break down stereotypes and promote more equitable treatment of travellers from all backgrounds.

• Public awareness campaigns: Promote media campaigns and educational initiatives to raise public awareness of the impact of racial discrimination and the importance of respecting diversity.

Policies and regulations:

• Review security policies: Some have recommended reviewing airport security policies to ensure they do not encourage racial profiling. A fairer approach based on behaviour rather than appearance could be better.

• Facilitated complaint mechanisms: Establish transparent and accessible mechanisms for travellers to report instances of discrimination. These mechanisms should ensure a prompt and effective response.

Engage governments and international organisations:

• Dialogue with airport authorities: Encourage African governments to engage in dialogue with international airport authorities to address discrimination issues.

• African Union initiatives: Propose that the African Union take concrete steps to address the issue at the international level, including through diplomacy and international fora.

Solidarity and collective action:

• Social media mobilisation: Use social media platforms to share experiences, raise awareness and create a global solidarity movement.

• Collective and legal action: Encourage collective action, including legal action, against entities responsible for discriminatory practices.

Africa's economic and social development:

Several readers stressed the importance of improving Africa's image on the world stage through economic and social development, which would thereby contribute to greater respect for Africans abroad.

I invite you to continue sharing your stories, raising awareness, and supporting initiatives that promote equality and justice. Together, we will continue our fight to end racism and discrimination. Your stories and recommendations are the key to change.

With hope and determination,