In the past few months, the world has faced one of the deadliest pandemics in history. The COVID-19 has spread far and wide, with over 2 million individuals already infected. The virus has caused panic across the globe, with some governments implementing lockdowns to safeguard their citizens. In addition to the virus pandemic, hundreds of African migrant traders, workers, and students living in Guangzhou China are facing racial prejudice (Sui, 2020). African citizens have reported increasing cases of racial profiling and discrimination in the past few weeks. Some of them were evicted from their rental houses by the Chinese landlords while others were tossed out onto the street by local officials and hotel managers. Many other Africans were subjected to random testing and forced quarantine for no apparent reason (Sui, 2020). It has become difficult for Africans living in southern China to access food and shelter, forcing some of them to sleep on the streets.
Chinese Guangzhou citizens' xenophobia has probably fueled these recent events amid the fear of reemergence of the COVID-19 infection. Also, there is a history of a long-standing racial prejudice against the black community living in China. In 1988-1989, Anti-African riots in Nanjing showed the deep-rooted prejudice that most Chinese have against Africans (Sui, 2020). The xenophobic attitudes of Chinese citizens towards Africans can be explained using the intergroup threat theory and the theory of intergroup emotions. The two approaches offer several explanations as to why and when extreme behavior may occur. In this case, the theories can give more insight into the cause of racial prejudice.
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According to the intergroup threat theory, the identity of individuals is determined by the social group into which they belong. The social groups have attributes and membership criteria that distinguish the in-group members from those of the out-group. Social identity scholars suggest that the psychological benefits resulting from in-group membership are the primary reason for intergroup conflict when they are threatened (Branscombe et al., 1999). When members of an out-group pose a threat to the values, norms, and beliefs of an in-group, the in-group members are inclined to retaliate in fear of the in-group destruction. This may result in hostility towards members of the out-group and favoritism for the in-group members. The resentment may eventually lead to prejudiced behavior towards the out-group members, particularly during dangerous times.
The intergroup threat theory can be used to interpret the racial prejudice against Africans in China. Chinese citizens belong to a social group that provides them with a common language, traditions, and access to the essentials of life. Members of an out-group who potentially possess the ability to destroy the existence of the Chinese people would be seen as a threat to the social group. In this case, the reemergence of the COVID-19 infection caused fear among Chinese citizens. The Africans were perceived to potentially cause the reemergence hence the hostility towards them (Sui, 2020). The reemergence of the infection would potentially destroy or harm the existence of the in-group members (Chinese citizens). The threat caused the racial prejudice against the Africans as they were seen as a potential threat to the Chinese people.
The intergroup emotion theory would also give a vital insight into the event. The theory suggests that emotions are vital social constructs (Nelson, 2016). Emotions influence how individuals react to events or situations that impact their social identity. The evaluative reaction of an in-group is significantly based on their attitudes towards the out-group. When the in-group members feel that an action or presence of the out-group is likely to cause harm to them, fear may be invoked among the in-group members. This is particularly the case if the out-group seems to be stronger than the in-group. The fear emotion may result in hostility towards the out-group in an attempt to defend the in-group members (Nelson, 2016). On the other hand, if the in-group feel that it has more power and resources than the out-group, emotions of anger towards the out-group members may be activated to curb the out-group's retaliation. In both cases, hostility towards the out-group is a probable outcome.
In the racial prejudice case against Africans in China, the concept of the theory helps to interpret the events. The Chinese citizens may have felt that the presence of the Africans would potentially harm the in-group members by causing the new spread of the COVID-19 infections (Sui, 2020). Out of fear or anger, the Chinese subjected Africans to hostility and discrimination as a way of protecting their social group. Their emotions were triggered by the potential harm that the Africans posed to the in-group members.
Both theories have key tenets that describe intergroup relationships and can be applied to the current event in China. Based on the intergroup threat theory, intergroup threats can be classified as either symbolic or realistic threats. Symbolic threats jeopardize the integrity of the value system of the in-group (Nelson, 2016). This means that an out-group that has a different value system poses a potential threat to the in-group, especially if it tries to impose these values on the in-group members. The in-group members, therefore, feel that their morals, values, and norms are threatened and may show hostility to the out-group members (Nelson, 2016). The perceived differences between the value systems of the out-group and the in-group are, therefore, a potential cause of antagonism between the social groups.
Realistic threats, on the other hand, are concerns that the out-group can cause harm to the in-group members or destroy their sources of livelihood. The perceived threats may include loss of power, economic resources, and even exposure to infectious diseases. The intergroup threats arouse powerful negative emotions such as anger, hatred, and fear towards the out-group (Nelson, 2016). The feelings are enacted in the form of negative behavior such as racial prejudice and other forms of hostility towards the out-group members. Social psychologists propose that negative emotions and cognitions resulting from in-group threats lead to unfavorable behavioral responses.
The current event in China presents an illustration of both symbolic and realistic threats. The fear that Africans would lead to the reemergence of the COVID-19 infections is a realistic threat that may have aroused suspicion among Chinese citizens. The anxiety triggered xenophobic reactions towards the Africans breeding racial prejudice. Also, concerns that the Africans would probably compete with Chinese citizens on the available economic resources is another realistic threat. The fact that African culture is perceived to be primitive may have led to concerns that their presence would weaken the moral fabric of the Chinese people. This symbolic threat may have resulted in anger and hatred towards Africans.
The intergroup emotions theory is based on the tenet of social categorization in the context of the intergroup appraisal. According to the method, an intergroup appraisal is the interpretation of situations involving the social group members in terms of their impact on in-group well-being (Nelson, 2016). Social events involving social groups that benefit an in-group are likely to result in positive emotions of the in-group members. If the social events harm the in-group; however, negative emotions are aroused in individual in-group members. The arousal of either positive or negative emotions in individual in-group members occurs regardless of the social events affecting their well-being. The theory further suggests that the patterns of the intergroup appraisals have a significant influence on intergroup emotions (Nelson, 2016). For instance, if the in-group members perceive that an event will harm their social group; negative emotions such as anger and hatred are activated. These emotions result in negative behavioral responses, such as prejudice and racism.
The theory tenets can be applied to the current situation in China. The social categorization of Chinese citizens led to intergroup appraisal. The likelihood of reemergence of COVID-19 infections in the country would significantly affect Chinese citizens. The Africans were perceived to cause the new spread of the virus potentially. As a result, the Chinese citizens developed strong negative emotions towards the Africans as they considered them to be a threat to the other Chinese people. The negative emotions bred racial profiling and prejudice towards the Africans out-group.
The intergroup bias and prejudice regarding the current situation in southern China can be reduced using individual and intergroup based approaches. Attempts at the personal level would involve educational programs that emphasize an appreciation of other social groups. It would be crucial to emphasize that racial prejudice is wrong (Dovidio & Gaertner, 1999). Also, techniques to change stereotypic beliefs about Africans among Chinese citizens would significantly reduce racial bias. Intergroup based techniques to reduce racial prejudice include increasing intergroup contact. The intergroup contact between the Africans and Chinese citizens can be enhanced through cooperative intergroup interactions in social situations. This would mitigate intergroup bias and conflict. Lastly, reducing intergroup boundaries can be realized through intergroup interactions (Dovidio, & Gaertner, 1999). The reduction of intergroup barriers between the Chinese and Africans would allow the two groups members to enhance their social cohesion. This would significantly reduce the racial prejudice against the Africans.
References
Branscombe, N. R., Ellemers, N., Spears, R., & Doosje, B. (1999). The context and content of social identity threat. Social identity: Context, commitment, content , 35-58.
Devine, P. G. (1989). Stereotypes and prejudice: Their automatic and controlled components. Journal of personality and social psychology , 56 (1), 5.
Dovidio, J. F., & Gaertner, S. L. (1999). Reducing prejudice: Combating intergroup biases. Current Directions in Psychological Science , 8 (4), 101-105.
Nelson, T. D. (Ed.). (2016). Handbook of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination (2 nd ed.) New York, NY: Psychology Press.
Sui, C. (2020). China’s racism is wrecking its success in Africa . Foreign Policy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/15/chinas-racism-is-wrecking-its-success-in-africa/
