Racial discrimination experienced by the 3 characters in Safia Elhillo’s Home is Not a Country

This study aims to analyze the racism experienced by the characters and the influence of racism on the characters in Safia Elhillo's Home is Not a Country. This research has 2 research problem: (1) How is racial discrimination depicted by the characters in the novel Home Is Not a Country? (2) How does racial discrimination affect the characters in the novel Home is Not a Country? The research uses a descriptive qualitative approach to analyze how racial discrimination is depicted in the novel Home is Not a Country through characters who experience racism and the influence of racism on the characters in the novel. In addition, this research uses the theory of Orientalism by Edward Said. The data collection technique in this research is by reading, highlighting, then classifying the points that describe the experience of racism experienced by the characters. The results shows that 3 characters in the novel who experienced racial discrimination named Nima, Haitham, and Aisha. Nima experiences racial discrimination in the form of ridicule, shunned, and legal inequality. Then, Haitham experienced racial discrimination in the form of physical violence. Aisha experienced racial discrimination in the form of ridicule and neglect. Racial discrimination also affects characters such as Nima who feels fear and trauma, self-isolation, hiding identity, Yasmeen as a symbol of personal conflict, and identity crisis. Haitham is physically injured and Aisha experiences identity concealment and the breakdown of the mother-daughter relationship. Moreover, there is also resistance to acts of racial discrimination through solidarity, self-acceptance, and refusing to feel ashamed.