To Portuguese People

To the Portuguese people: what is happening? I spent two and a half months outside Portugal, and when I returned, I noticed a change in people’s behavior—more intolerance and negativity. After spending some time on social media, I noticed a growing number of fake stories and targeted campaigns against certain nationalities such as Indians, Pakistanis, Nepalis, and Bangladeshis. Many of these campaigns seem to be fueled by the far-right political party Chega.

I urge Portuguese citizens to think critically before believing everything they see on TV or social media. Don’t let hate-filled content shape your views. Recently, a tragic incident occurred where a Portuguese individual shot at a house simply because Indian nationals were living there—one young Sikh man was killed without any reason.

Even though I may look European, I don’t speak Portuguese fluently. I’ve had many experiences where locals were initially warm and friendly, but once I shared my country of origin, the mood changed instantly—they became distant or stopped the conversation altogether.

From what I’ve observed, many people here tend to believe whatever is shown in the media without questioning it. If this continues, I fear that Portugal could develop a serious problem with racism. I hope we can stop this trend and promote understanding and respect for everyone, regardless of where they come from.