The shout came, “Coronavirus!” I looked up to where the noise had come from. There are dozens of crude shacks made from the flotsam and jetsam spewed up by the Indian Ocean and I enjoying strolling along the beach picking my way between them. “Coronavirus!” the shout came again. The woman was standing over a wood fire frying a pile of tiny fish and looking in my direction.
It was not the first time someone had shouted this at me. Since news of the rapid increase of infections in Europe, several people have shouted it at me on the streets and beaches of Dar es Salaam.
I suppose it makes a change from the usual forms of address, the innocent ones, “Mama, Sister, Rafiki, Friend, Madam”, the slightly annoying “muzungu” and my previous least favourite “Hey whitey”. Before living in African I had been referred to by the colour of my skin.
On top of the “coronavirus” insults, a Chinese friend here in Dar es Salaam sent me a warning. It read, “I just want to remind you not to go out, wash your hands as much as possible, and not to interact with too many Europeans.”
Firstly, I take exception to being told what to do by someone who is not in a position of authority and even though they followed the warning with “I don’t mean to discriminate against Europeans” they had done just that. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Chinese but they are ridiculously risk-averse and often openly racist (in favour of white people and against brown or black).
Just as I was calming down from that brief exchange of messages, a photo pinged into WhatsApp. It was from another Chinese friend and showed their business meeting with 11 other Chinese all wearing masks. And of course there was another warning for me from someone equally unqualified to give it. “I strongly suggest you to refrain from partying and gathering without protection now. The virus must be treated seriously.” And then they went on blame the Italians for spreading it.
Yes we should take this thing seriously but let’s take advice from people who know what they’re talking about like experts at the WHO and the health ministries of our governments. Let’s not feed on fear, spread misinformation and persecute people because of their skin colour.
I have always defended the Chinese when others have blamed them for this virus. Because people know that I have a history in China, I have found myself in the curious position of fighting their corner and refuting the old racial stereotypes.
Now it’s our turn – we muzungu. We are the new lepers, the people to avoid, the outcasts and where are the Chinese when I need them? Oh yes, they’re telling me to stay clear of other white people because they are probably diseased!
We need to take this seriously, take precautions relevant to the area in which we live and just stop the accusations, whoever they are aimed at. We are all in this together, white, black, yellow and brown.
Note: Yes, I am quite aware that I am lucky to have been born white, European and middle class and not been the target of racist remarks. I know that someone shouting at me is nothing in comparison to what others endure.