Xenophobia

Xenophobia is an intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries.

-Oxford Online Dictionary



Why would someone experience something such as this. Why would someone allow such an irrational emotion take a hold of them? Mistrust and ignorance are a major contributor. During times of conflict, a person might use this time to validate existing stereotypes or create new ones. Also, an economic gap may cause such animosity that people may create ideas that demonize the higher rank as oppressors or the lower rank as being lazy. Another factor that may cause this is a geographical gap. This gap does not allow the people to interact on a daily basis. Due to this lack of contact, the people's aren't able to generate sympathies with one another. This makes it easier to create fantastic stories about their behavior or common practices. Due to the gap, these conclusions are often skewed. Anything deviating from their cultures or customs are seen as weird or unacceptable. Ignorance creates and fuels these fears.