Many are asking: Could this be Racism? Ghanaian woman kicked by Chinese police for returning a Wig to a seller due to wrong specification for her, she said.
In a disturbing case that has ignited discussions on racism against Africans in China, a Ghanaian woman residing in the country claims she was physically assaulted by police officers simply for attempting to return a wig that failed to meet her client’s specifications. The woman, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, described the incident as a shocking display of maltreatment, where she was kicked and targeted explicitly because of her Black identity.
Could this be Racism? Ghanaian Woman Kicked by Chinese Police for Returning a Wig
This event, which occurred in a commercial district, highlights the precarious position many Africans find themselves in while navigating daily life and business in China. According to reports circulating on social media and news outlets, the shop owner has yet to provide any explanation for summoning the police, leaving many to speculate that racial bias played a central role in escalating what should have been a routine customer service issue.
The woman’s ordeal is not an isolated event but part of a long-documented pattern of discrimination against Black individuals and Africans in China, dating back to the 1970s. Historical accounts and media reports have chronicled numerous instances of racial profiling, evictions, and unequal treatment, particularly in cities like Guangzhou, often referred to as “Little Africa” due to its large African expatriate community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, Africans were disproportionately subjected to forced quarantines, denied entry to public spaces, and even left sleeping on the streets, sparking international outrage and diplomatic protests from African nations including Ghana.
Experts on China-Africa relations note that such incidents reflect deeper ethnic tensions, including government policies that have been criticized for fostering an environment of suspicion toward minorities. Ghanaians and other Africans have voiced frustration over these ongoing issues, emphasizing that while China promotes economic partnerships with African countries, the lived experiences of Black individuals on the ground often tell a different story.
On the contrasting side, the incident prompts a closer look at the activities of Chinese nationals in Ghana, where similar tensions arise but in a reversed dynamic. Reports indicate that Chinese involvement in illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, has led to environmental degradation and social conflicts, with many Ghanaians accusing the government of leniency toward foreign offenders. While Ghanaian authorities have cracked down on illegal mining operations, critics argue that Chinese nationals engaging in these criminal ventures often face lighter consequences compared to locals, fueling perceptions of unequal justice. This duality underscores broader China-Africa relations, where economic collaborations coexist with mutual grievances over discrimination and exploitation.
The maltreatment faced by the Ghanaian woman also mirrors wider patterns of ethnic hatred toward minorities within China, as evidenced by events like the 2009 Ürümqi riots, where inter-ethnic violence erupted between Han Chinese and Uyghur populations, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Human Rights Watch and other organizations have documented pervasive online racism against Black people on Chinese social media platforms, including videos that stereotype Africans as primitive or inferior, often monetized for profit. Such content, which evades moderation despite platform guidelines, contributes to a culture of prejudice that spills into real-world interactions. Advocacy groups call for stronger measures from Chinese authorities to address these issues, warning that unchecked discrimination could strain diplomatic ties with African nations.
As this story gains traction on platforms like YouTube and social media, it serves as a reminder of the need for greater awareness and accountability in cross-cultural exchanges. For Ghanaians abroad and Africans in China, incidents like the wig return altercation highlight the urgent call for policy reforms to combat racism against Africans in China. At Ghana Trends Media, we continue to cover these stories to foster understanding and dialogue. Visit www.ghanatrends.com for more updates on global trends affecting Ghana and the diaspora.
