Question

Explain the 'strange career' of Xenophobia. Criticaly explore the world of the Indian Ocean prior to the arrival of Vasco Da Gama as it is described by Prashad. Explore the connections between Xenophobia and categories such as race, ethnicity and gender. What purpose do these categories serve in contemporary America?

Answer 1

Xenophobia is like a feeling of dislike. It mainly arises due to feelings of prejudice. This feeling mainly exist for people of other countries due to lack of knowledge. Xeno means Foreigner and phobia means fear. So Xenophobia is basically the fear of foreigner.

It is also called as fear of something unfamiliar. Vasco Da Gama discovered direct sea route from Europe to India. He crossed whole Africa continent and then reached to India. Before the discovery of this sea route, the trade between Europe and Asia was very limited and can even be said to zero.

Huge misconceptions were there regarding the Asian people. European's arrival opened a new domain for both Europeans and Asians. A new form of imperialism got developed which influenced many people.

Before the discovery of sea route, it was thought that crossing an ocean may destroy all the good deeds of a person. A person who crossed the ocean in his/her life was considered as a sinner. If we know less and have little knowledge about biology and psychology then we develop certain types of prejudice and we avoid discussions on diverse topics like race, gender and ethnicity.

We develop certain superstitions based on previous knowledge which are not authentic in real senses. These are simply rumors which have no base. People fear to accept their reality of their personality.

They do not disclose their sexual orientation. They simply feel hesitation. Sometimes we hear news of xenophobia for immigrants in USA. Some people say that they are danger for those native people who are in search of good job and good life opportunity.

They think that people from other country are snatching their chances for moving forward in their life. This is completely irrational because USA is the land of opportunity. It respects talents. Each and every eligible person can earn massive opportunities to grow here.

This is the reason that it is world's super power and whole world wants to live here.