Lama El-Amine, Lebanese artist and filmmaker. (Credit: Instagram account.)
“Hey! You, the Ethiopian, you’re in the wrong line!” It is with these words that a General Security agent allegedly addressed Lama el-Amine, a Lebanese artist and filmmaker whose mother is of African descent, while she was at Beirut International Airport on Thursday.
In a video posted on Instagram, she described the incident as a “racist” and “humiliating” experience, one she endured with “deep pain and frustration.” She added that this is “neither the first” nor the second time something like this has happened to her.
She recounted that while waiting in line to have her passport stamped, an agent shouted at her in a “loud, vulgar, and demeaning tone: “Hey! Ethiopian! You’re in the wrong line!” She chose to ignore him. The agent persisted: “I’m speaking to you!Take off your headphones and listen to me, Ethiopian. You’re inon the wrong cue.”
She responded, “I am Lebanese. Not all black people are Ethiopians, and not all Lebanese should be white. What’s your problem? Why can’t you accept someone who doesn’t look like you?” The agent, sitting behind his desk, then allegedly made a hand gesture signaling her to be quiet.
The young woman’s video sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Many Lebanese internet users expressed their shame and anger over the agent’s behavior. Some praised Amine’s courage.
“We must punish these acts of racism without mercy, and Lebanese people should finally understand that our diversity is a strength: normalizing intolerance is a betrayal of our humanity. Stay strong,” commented Lebanese comedian Coco Makmak.
Speaking to L’Orient-le Jour, Amine expressed her disappointment that “no political official” has reached out to her so far. She hopes her message will reach President Joseph Aoun and demanded an official apology, while also calling for the adoption of a law to combat discrimination and racism.
Accused of 'stealing a Lebanese passport'
Amine is not the only Lebanese woman to speak out against such injustices. Athlete Aziza Sbaity, born to a Lebanese father and a Liberian mother and regarded as the fastest woman in Lebanon’s history, has also been repeatedly subjected to racism, particularly within public institutions. She recounted that she had been accused at immigration services of “stealing” a Lebanese passport.
“Automatically, they assume we are not Lebanese. They speak to Black people with condescension. It hurts,” she told L’Orient- le Jour, denouncing the “blatant racism in Lebanese government institutions.”
“It is difficult to change a government system stuck in the past,” she said.
This article was originally published in French by L'Orient-le Jour.
