When Having A Mixed Race Child Raises An Uncomfortable Question

Sure, the world may be changing and times moving fast. Cultures that were snubbed in the past are slowly becoming recognised and accepted.  However, a hidden prejudice towards Africans (black people generally) still exists today, whether we like it or not.

This was shown by the airport security at the Duesseldorf airport.

Belgium-based politician and activist, Assanta Kanko, who is originally from Burkina Faso was embarrassed when the airport security insisted on questioning her mixed race daughter.

The politician who is married to a Belgian man took to Twitter to share her ordeal.

'Is this really your mama?'Security man asked my 8y old daughter because he doesn't believe me #DuesseldorfAirport pic.twitter.com/OOoSBHUWwb

— Assita Kanko MEP (@Assita_Kanko) March 28, 2016

According to her, after presenting all necessary documents with fingerprints, the security man asked her 8 year old daughter, “Is this really your mama?”.

Apparently, this is not a new thing. Popular Nigerian writer, Chika Unigwe sympathised with her and shared her own experience.

@Assita_Kanko lol. I've been asked that at the airport (in Atlanta, I think). It must be something in the airport police handbook 🙂 🙂

— chika unigwe (@chikaunigwe) March 28, 2016

It has also happened in Greece.

https://twitter.com/mavroula_/status/714485685130924033

Some people see the questioning as nothing…

They are trying to prevent trafficking and child abduction. That's not a bad thing. https://t.co/DYtW8S1VUs

— I'm @ShakerPM on Threads @PattyMitchell on Bluesky (@pattym) March 28, 2016

But a security check against kidnap and abduction.

@Assita_Kanko you do realize they ask most kids that to make sure they aren’t being kidnapped.. stop making a problem out of nothing..

— Aaron Thomas (@aaron_1117) March 28, 2016

But white privilege is a thing whether we admit or ignore it.

.@Assita_Kanko @monaeltahawy this, sadly, is about the 100th time I've heard about this happening to a mother.Never to me #whiteprivilege

— Kellie-Jay Keen (@ThePosieParker) March 28, 2016

And little children should not be put through such questioning, especially after necessary documents have been presented.

@MoniqueAdriaan1 if you receive all the evidence you don’t ask such a violent question to a child. Or you find a smart way to investigate

— Assita KANKO (@Assita_Kanko) March 28, 2016

Agreed, kidnapping and abduction of children is a global problem. However, smarter and less embarrassing checks should be devised because there are many mixed race children in the world.