How to Defeat Xenophobia

Xenophobia is the fear of strangers. People who look different, speak a different language or have different customs can appear frightening to those who are used to only one ethnic group, lifestyle or set of behaviors. But xenophobia can be overcome, and the key is education. If you're trying to help someone defeat xenophobia, here are some steps you can take.


How to Avoid Xenophobia

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Xenophobia is an irrational and unreasonable fear or contempt of that which is foreign or unknown, especially of strangers or foreign people. The term is most often used to describe a fear or dislike of foreigners or of people significantly different from oneself. The terms xenophobia and xenophobic could be used to describe some people embroiled in the current immigration debate occurring within the United States. Immigration is vital to the economy of the United States, but many xenophobic fear-mongers, often appearing in mainstream media outlets shouting vitriolic language, would have you believe otherwise. In order to not become counterproductive and counterintuitive like these xenophobic people, it is important to know how to not think like they do and to see the big picture. In this world of economic, political, and cultural globalization and ever-increasing global and world-wide interconnectedness, there is absolutely no place for xenophobia and xenophobic thinking. The steps in this article will show you how to avoid xenophobia and how to avoid thinking from the perspective of a xenophobic mindset.

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Things You'll Need
open mindedness
ability to see the big picture
Instructions
1
First of all, you need to examine history for examples of just how dangerous xenophobia, left unchecked, can become. Probably the most infamous example is the xenophobia that in part led to the atrocities of the Holocaust of World War II. But in general, throughout history in many places around the world, xenophobia and xenophobic thinking has led to many atrocities, such as ethnic cleansing, genocide, and racism and discrimination, to name a few.

2
Take time to learn about other peoples and cultures from around the world. In particular, learn about the various cultures, both new and old, that have combined to play prominent roles in your own country (such as the variety of cultures that all comprise the United States).

3
Study and learn another language. By learning another language you will also be learning an integral part of another culture.

4
If you are in the United States and are concerned over the current immigration debate in particular, remember that aside from Native Americans, the U.S. has always been a nation of immigrants. It is a country forged by immigrants. And immigrants, both newly arrived and well-established, continue to play a prominent role today. With the exception of Native Americans, everyone in the United States is an immigrant or a descendant of one.

5
Therefore, ask yourself the question, "Why do we have many of the children of yesterday's immigrants complaining about today's immigrants and wanting to deprive them of the better life that they seek in the U.S.?"

6
Practice thinking with more of an open and broad mind, and attempt to understand the bigger picture and larger connections. If you begin to have narrow minded thoughts about a subject, stop yourself and think about why you are thinking that way, and then challenge yourself by looking at that thought from a different perspective and angle.

7
Finally, if financially feasible, plan trips and travel to experience different cultures in different parts of your own country and the world. If you are on a tighter budget and live in or close to a large city, you won't even have to travel far to experience different cultures and people. Explore different areas of the city (such as areas with various concentrations of people from different countries). Travel is the best form of education.