A young Cuban man living in Paraguay for some time took to social media this Sunday to share that, for the first time, he experienced xenophobia, being treated as a criminal simply because he was born in Cuba. Known on TikTok as Harche Vlog (@harchevlogs), the young man expressed that for the first time since his arrival in Paraguay, he was made to feel worthless.
"Because I'm a foreigner, they made me feel inferior; they labeled me a criminal," he denounced, explaining that people can treat him like trash just because of his place of origin. "Just because I was born in Cuba, you cannot treat me as if I'm less than you, and no one has that right," he asserted.
The TikToker recounted that he entered a store with the intention of buying a motorcycle. According to him, everything was going well until he mentioned his place of origin. "I wanted to pay in installments because I don't have the money to pay it all at once," he noted. He explained that, at that moment, the salesperson's attitude changed. "The fact that I'm Cuban makes them not trust that I will pay for the motorcycle," he expressed indignantly.
According to the influencer, the opposite happened; they thought he would take the motorcycle and not pay for it. "It's the same sh** all the time with us Cubans; they look at us and treat us badly, and they close doors on us," he complained.
This incident has made him reflect on the existence of kindness in people and also motivated him to question whether being in Paraguay is really where he belongs. "In which country should I be to be treated like a normal person and not be judged?" the Cuban man pondered, who has previously shared the reasons that forced him to flee his homeland, risking his own life.
The young man shared another video on TikTok explaining that he was a victim of a motorcycle theft in Paraguay, which prompted his search for a new means of transportation. He regretted that this incident occurred because, until that moment, he had always held a favorable opinion of the country and its people.
Understanding Xenophobia in Paraguay
In light of this incident, we have compiled some questions and answers to better understand the nature of xenophobia in Paraguay and its impact on immigrants.
What is xenophobia?
Xenophobia is the fear or hatred of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange. It often manifests in discriminatory attitudes and behaviors towards people based on their nationality or ethnicity.
How prevalent is xenophobia in Paraguay?
While specific statistics on xenophobia in Paraguay are limited, incidents like the one experienced by Harche Vlog suggest that xenophobic attitudes do exist and can significantly impact the lives of immigrants.
What can be done to combat xenophobia?
Combating xenophobia requires a multi-faceted approach, including public education campaigns to promote understanding and acceptance, legal protections for immigrants, and initiatives to encourage positive interactions between locals and foreigners.