2:00 Dose of Ebolology: The Drame Brothers

The Drame Brothers 
Amadou and Pape Drame are 11- and 13-year-old brothers who live in New York City.  They recently moved to the US from Senegal.  Notably, Senegal is a West African nation, and it did have a very small number of (properly contained) Ebola cases.  None have been reported since August.  Needless to say, there is no reason to expect a Senagalese individual would be an Ebola carrier.  A few weeks back, the Drame brothers started to be teased at school, and other kids wouldn't pass them the ball during gym or let them play on common equipment.  Last week, Amadou sneezed while at school.  Some kid shouted "he has Ebola!!"  He was then punched in the face.  Pape came to help his brother.  Both were beaten up.  A month ago, both boys loved their school, and were happy to be in America.  These kids did nothing wrong.  Similar stories of persecution and bullying of West Africans are started to creep out, and I am beyond disappointed by it.  We are all responsible for perpetuating this climate if we are not working to change it.  Listen to experts.  Do not listen to newscasters.  Do not listen to politicians.  Listen to experts.  When we don't, we create and enable a climate where these boys are targeted and beaten.  They deserve better.