'I am African, Not a Virus': Video Fights Stigma Against People From Countries Battling Ebola!

At some point over the last few months, fear of Ebola began to far outpace the spread of the actual disease. That's reportedly led to a growing prejudice against people from West Africa, the area most affected by Ebola this year.

Liberian-American television host Shoana Clarke Solomon said her 9-year-old-daughter has had to deal with such prejudice at her school on Staten Island, New York. In response, Solomon decided to combat misinformation about Ebola in the YouTube video, above, titled "I am Liberian, not a virus." At the time of this writing, the video has attracted more than 5,900 views.

"Imagine someone saying to your child, 'You're from Liberia; you have a disease,'" Solomon says in the video. "My child came home hurt and upset. I am hurt and upset."

In the video, Solomon puts yet another human face on the growing problem that is mostly affecting the West African countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. Ebola has killed more than 4,400 people so far in 2014.

Solomon and others also launched the hashtag, #IamALiberianNotAVirus, to help spread their message.

This is beautiful & perfect. End fear, learn something. RT @TheRoot #IamaLiberianNotaVirus http://t.co/9gxSo7aZel pic.twitter.com/zwPdvPOf1b
— My Video My Voice (@myvideovoice) October 17, 2014

Wilhelmina from Myeonway Designs #IamALiberianNotAVirus #EbolaStigma pic.twitter.com/aP69efWih0
— Liberian Ent Awards (@LibEntAwards) October 14, 2014

Anthony Blamo #IamALiberianNotAVirus #EbolaStigma pic.twitter.com/dAj8f5gILW
— Liberian Ent Awards (@LibEntAwards) October 12, 2014

Watch the video below: 

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Credits: Mashable.com