Burj Hammoud and Racism

MP Hagop Pakradounian:

The municipality [of Burj Hammoud] has asked foreign workers — whether they are Syrian, Egyptian, Sri Lankan or Filipino — especially those who do not have identification papers and official or registered lease contracts, to evacuate the region

I’ve read people defending the decision, and others throwing outrageous accusations of racism onto Burj Hammoud. My aim in this post is to take a slightly more moderate position.

I understand why a fear of strangers would set in when outsiders commit crimes. I also know that the good people of Burj Hammoud are not racists. But unfortunately, the decision as it now stands (a blanket eviction of all “foreign workers”, with an exception made for families), is indeed racist.

Why? Because it identifies the bad people as foreign workers as a group, “especially” if they don’t have identification papers. In other words, the main reason for their eviction is that they are foreign workers. Being illegal is just a bonus.

If I were a Filipino who minded his own business and never engaged in criminal activity, I would be evicted from my flat in Burj Hammoud even if I legally paid rent for it. All because of who I am: An unmarried Filipino.

That is profoundly unfair, and yes, racist.