Not Tall and Not Very Dark-Skinned, But I Am Still South Sudanese

One summer day in 2019, just before 11 am, I was on my way to the South Sudan Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan to process some official documents. To ensure I arrived on time, I took a taxi from Al Qasr Avenue to Riyadh, Ebeid Khatam Street. During the journey, the taxi driver struck up a conversation with me, curious about my destination. When I mentioned I was heading to the Embassy of South Sudan, he was visibly surprised. However, after a brief conversation, he realised that I am South Sudanese, despite my appearance not fitting the common stereotypes associated with people from South Sudan.

This experience is not unique to me. Many individuals who do not match physical appearance stereotypes related to their original regions and backgrounds often face similar reactions. Such encounters can sometimes lead to challenges in social acceptance and increased exposure to appearance-based discrimination. It is a reminder of how deeply ingrained stereotypes can be and the importance of looking beyond appearances to understand someone’s true identity.

Whenever South Sudanese are mentioned, the first thing that comes into people’s mind is tall people with very dark skin. This idea is fuelled in the minds by the overwhelming majority of the Nilotic tribes involved in these appearance properties. However, this dilemma comes at the expense of other ethnic groups with adverse appearance characteristics, who are lighter in skin and shorter in stature compared to Nilotic.

South Sudan is culturally very rich with 64 tribes that represent  various traditions with diverse physical appearance. This fact is usually forgotten or neglected before giving final judgement based on looks. However, appearance-based discrimination is a reality in South Sudan and could include biases based on weight, height, skin colour and/or other physical traits. Such discrimination can affect opportunities in employment, education and social interactions.

Tawfeeq Mohamed, a 27-year-old South Sudanese, recently returned to South Sudan from Sudan due to the ongoing war in the neighbouring country. Consequently, he has gone through many negative experiences because of his light skin colour and his name that has Arabic and Islamic origins. ‘My identity’s credibility was always questioned by them, and they believed it was false,’ he explained. Mohamed is Nilotic from the Dinka ethnic group and his mother from Jur, a tribe from the Lou ethnic group, which is what is believed to make him a pure South Sudanese. Despite all this, and because of his name and skin colour, he is no longer accepted as part of his community.

While you may have a strong sense of your nationality, others might doubt it, leading to a barrage of questions aimed at verifying their doubts. The most common questions often are ‘Where are you from?’ and upon answering, ‘Are you sure? From which tribe?!’ These pre-existing stereotypes and biases can significantly influence how one is perceived and interacted with. Such stereotypes create invisible barriers that hinder the ability to connect, empathise and even secure employment opportunities.

Take Mohamed, for instance; despite being qualified, he continues to face employability issues due to his physical appearance. ‘I was chosen for a job interview, but I felt excluded from the start because we were just two individuals, one of whom resembled a South Sudanese stereotypical image, and I,’ he explained, highlighting how deeply stereotypes can affect not just social acceptance, but also career development. It underscores the need to challenge and overcome these biases to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

The experiences shared in this column vividly illustrate the profound and often detrimental impact of stereotypes and biases on an individual’s life. Whether it’s the astonishment of a taxi driver upon discovering someone’s nationality or the persistent employment challenges faced by individuals such as Mohamed, these stories highlight a critical issue that demands our attention.

Stereotypes and biases are not just harmless misconceptions; they are powerful forces that shape our interactions, limit opportunities, and create invisible barriers that prevent genuine connection and understanding. They affect social acceptance, career development, and even the basic human right to be seen and valued for who we truly are.

The case of Mohamed, who felt excluded from a job interview simply because he did not fit the stereotypical image of a South Sudanese person, is a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of these biases. It underscores the urgent need for a collective effort to challenge and dismantle these harmful stereotypes.

As a society, we must strive to cultivate empathy, broaden our perspectives and embrace diversity in all its forms. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, free from the constraints of prejudice and discrimination.

This column serves as a call to action, urging us to look beyond appearances and recognise the inherent worth and potential of every individual. Only then can we build a society that truly values and celebrates its diversity.

500WM Columnist Butros Nicola Bazia, born in Khartoum, Sudan in 2001, is a South Sudanese independent writer and storyteller currently based in Juba, South Sudan. He began his content creation journey with Young Black Voice Podcast in 2022 and transitioned to creative writing in 2023, driven by a deep interest in arts, culture, and society. His work reflects resilience and creativity, even amidst the challenges posed by ongoing conflict in the region. Nicola now runs his own blog, Autide Me, and has published works in Sudans Post and 500 Words Magazine, where he currently serves as a columnist.