CMY3706 — STUDY UNIT 2
XENOPHOBIA
Exam Study Notes
1. WHAT YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DO
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• define xenophobia
• explain the difference between racism and xenophobia
• discuss myths and realities about xenophobia in South Africa
• explain the relationship between migration and xenophobia
• critically discuss the nature and extent of xenophobia
• discuss causes of xenophobia
• analyse its impact
• explain how xenophobia can be prevented
These are the learning outcomes in the study guide.
2. DEFINITION OF XENOPHOBIA
The word xenophobia comes from Greek:
• xenos = stranger/foreigner
• phobos = fear
The study guide describes xenophobia as deep hatred or negative attitudes towards
immigrants/foreigners and discrimination against non-citizens because of their foreign origin or
nationality.
EASY DEFINITION TO LEARN
Xenophobia is hostility, fear, hatred or discrimination directed towards people because they are
regarded as foreigners or non-nationals.
MEMORY TRICK
XENO = FOREIGN
,Think:
Xenophobia = fear/hatred of foreigners
3. RACISM VS XENOPHOBIA
These concepts are closely related, but they are not exactly the same.
RACISM
Racism involves discrimination based mainly on physical or biological characteristics, such as:
• skin colour
• perceived racial characteristics
XENOPHOBIA
Xenophobia is directed at people regarded as:
• foreigners
• non-nationals
• outsiders
• "the other"
It therefore focuses on foreign origin or nationality rather than simply race.
SIMPLE COMPARISON
Racism Xenophobia
Based mainly on race/physical
Based mainly on foreign origin/nationality
characteristics
Example: discrimination because of skin Example: hostility because someone is regarded as a
colour foreigner
Can occur between people of different
Can occur even between people who are racially similar
races
4. AFROPHOBIA
The study guide explains that xenophobia can take different forms.
One important term for South Africa is:
, Afrophobia
This refers to hostility between Africans of different nationalities.
MCQ ALERT
The guide's MCQ asks about African migrants experiencing xenophobic attacks.
The correct answer given is:
African migrants — Afrophobia
5. "US" VS "THE OTHER"
The study guide discusses the tendency to create a distinction between:
"Us"
South Africans/nationals
and
"The other"
Foreigners/non-nationals
This can encourage intolerance and discrimination.
REMEMBER
US vs THEM
This is an important idea when explaining xenophobia.
6. MYTHS AND REALITIES OF XENOPHOBIA
This is specifically a 10-mark self-assessment question, so learn it well.
The study guide identifies three major myths.
MYTH 1
"Xenophobia does not exist in South Africa."
Some political leaders have denied its existence.
REALITY
XENOPHOBIA
Exam Study Notes
1. WHAT YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DO
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• define xenophobia
• explain the difference between racism and xenophobia
• discuss myths and realities about xenophobia in South Africa
• explain the relationship between migration and xenophobia
• critically discuss the nature and extent of xenophobia
• discuss causes of xenophobia
• analyse its impact
• explain how xenophobia can be prevented
These are the learning outcomes in the study guide.
2. DEFINITION OF XENOPHOBIA
The word xenophobia comes from Greek:
• xenos = stranger/foreigner
• phobos = fear
The study guide describes xenophobia as deep hatred or negative attitudes towards
immigrants/foreigners and discrimination against non-citizens because of their foreign origin or
nationality.
EASY DEFINITION TO LEARN
Xenophobia is hostility, fear, hatred or discrimination directed towards people because they are
regarded as foreigners or non-nationals.
MEMORY TRICK
XENO = FOREIGN
,Think:
Xenophobia = fear/hatred of foreigners
3. RACISM VS XENOPHOBIA
These concepts are closely related, but they are not exactly the same.
RACISM
Racism involves discrimination based mainly on physical or biological characteristics, such as:
• skin colour
• perceived racial characteristics
XENOPHOBIA
Xenophobia is directed at people regarded as:
• foreigners
• non-nationals
• outsiders
• "the other"
It therefore focuses on foreign origin or nationality rather than simply race.
SIMPLE COMPARISON
Racism Xenophobia
Based mainly on race/physical
Based mainly on foreign origin/nationality
characteristics
Example: discrimination because of skin Example: hostility because someone is regarded as a
colour foreigner
Can occur between people of different
Can occur even between people who are racially similar
races
4. AFROPHOBIA
The study guide explains that xenophobia can take different forms.
One important term for South Africa is:
, Afrophobia
This refers to hostility between Africans of different nationalities.
MCQ ALERT
The guide's MCQ asks about African migrants experiencing xenophobic attacks.
The correct answer given is:
African migrants — Afrophobia
5. "US" VS "THE OTHER"
The study guide discusses the tendency to create a distinction between:
"Us"
South Africans/nationals
and
"The other"
Foreigners/non-nationals
This can encourage intolerance and discrimination.
REMEMBER
US vs THEM
This is an important idea when explaining xenophobia.
6. MYTHS AND REALITIES OF XENOPHOBIA
This is specifically a 10-mark self-assessment question, so learn it well.
The study guide identifies three major myths.
MYTH 1
"Xenophobia does not exist in South Africa."
Some political leaders have denied its existence.
REALITY
