Tribalism? A brother to racism?

STOP IT

A lady walked into the office today and tried to sell a product to the boss of the office but somewhere along the line she was sidetracked. The reason for this, i did not understand at the time but much later. the same product the lady attempted to sell to the boss was the same this man came to sell.


Somehow, the boss listened to every information he had to pass across. he treated the man differently from the way he had treated the lady who first approached him. I would have thought that this was because he was a little distracted by the physicality that embodied the lady but I was wrong. Not too long after the man came in; at first i didn't listen to the conversation he had with my boss but much later, my attention was brought to the reason he was given a listening ear.

We as citizens of this great nation, would not argue the fact being that tribalism over the years has influenced governmental appointments and also that which features in our individual day-to-day activities. As humans of this geographical setting, we are quick to ask another, where he/she is from before any attention is being given. In the Nigerian political setting, the citizens are quick to judge the political class for formulating policies that do not reflect Federal Character, while in our individual lives, we find it a valid ground on which to judge whether or not a person is trust worthy. A yoruba man would always find it hard to trust the Igbo man. Same with others.

What is Tribalism and Racism?
Tribalism is known as the grouping and organizing of people into tribes. A tribe would also be a result of the same beliefs and religious and ethnic culture of the group of people who have decided to follow each other within their group. These people who are found within the tribe possess a strong identity and are known for certain beliefs which are different from other tribes that either make them enemies or friends to each other.

The young lady might go back home not worrying about what she didn't get right; she might not even understand the principle that was applied in such a daunting scenario. She tried to convince the boss of the importance the product brings to his life but the boss wouldn't listen. And here is the reason.
She came in, greeted everyone and began sharing flyers of the product she intends to sell while she uttered information about the product. I bet when she turned to give me a copy, my boss must have been sizing her up; maybe checking her out. He wouldn't be looking at her behind, would he?

What are the Differences of Tribalism from Racism?

The lesser evil would be tribalism as mentioned by many people and sometimes, tribes have the same races but have different beliefs and so that grouping of people take place. Racism tends to hinder people from getting employment, proper education, and causes insecurity and problems for those of a certain race because they are looked upon as inferior.
Tribalism does not hinder a person from getting employment and it does not undermine another who is from a different tribe unless the tribe it threatened. Racism tends to judge people by their race and stops all their rights because they are not of a “chosen” race. It is individually done and the most common is among the Americans and the Black Americans. Sociologists have long tried to understand the bond of tribalism and they have understood that these people stand for cultural belief while racism simply stands for hatred of those who are different from the common race in a place such as that in the United States.

He threw some seemingly irrellevant questions at her; questions that a mere marketer shouldn't worry about answering. questions that somehow weren't necessary in judging whether or not he would purchase the product. She couldn't convince him any further, so she left.

The guy that came in two minutes later, was a normal guy, not that he dressed any better than the girl. He was simply putting on the same t-shirt as the girl. But what was different (the reason he was listened to) was the fact that he hailed from the same state as my boss. A funny reason huh?
I bet you did this at some point.

We cannot truly influence anyone, if we do not, beyond every reasonable doubt, pass the batten of trust to them. We must learn to show love in order to instigate in others, the option of reacting positively to it. We must love people not because of their ethnic background but because, in us lies an unbending will to love and care for humans of all kind.

References:
Tribalism and Racism
Race and Tribes