Sunday, April 14, 2013

Media Representation: Video on the creation of violence by immigrants


Link: http://youtu.be/ysjC1FlZ5qU


 Insecurity and urban violence has been most debated issues of last decade within French society. The video was published by Hungarian TV channel. The journalists visited the suburbs and some officials to show how violence is created by the Muslim immigrants. It is mentioned that people are afraid of going there even 
police sometimes refrain from intervening. Drug dealing has been the popular job within the immigrants since they have no education and job. It is possible that the video reflects the reality however, since the Islamophobia has been widely spread fear around Europe, these type of media coverages trigger social divide between native population and immigrants. French society do not accept immigrants therefore immigrants feel alienated from society and form their own culture or lobby and they do not accept anybody inside so it is like vicious cycle. 

 some comments on the video:

In Emery's article, it is indicated that "the development of Islamophobia or any ethnic intolerance and racial discrimination always took place in the context of the emergence of strong racist, extremist political parties and a corresponding absence of reaction against such racism by the country's political leaders." (Emery) Although the video does not mention about the causes of the violence, I strongly agree that there is a positive correlation between the  reaction of immigrants and  politicians discourses - government immigrant policies. (Especially when we think Le Pen's and Sarkozy's political stance, it seems true) A specific identity is imposed upon the immigrants so they are seen as thugs and scum. (Moran, 2008) Moran mentions that the 2005 violence was not done by thugs in suburbs as Sarkozy indicated that it was. However there have been deep stereotype against suburban immigrants and in all situations they are accused of the violence first and also media consolidates these biased views.


Reference:

 Emery , M. (n.d.). Europe, immigration and the sarkozian concept of fraternite. French cultural studies, Retrieved from http://frc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/21/2/115

 Moran, M. (n.d.). Challenging the republic: ınterpreting the 2005 urban violence ın french suburbs. (2008).
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousApril 19, 2013 at 5:54 AM

    As you said, it is a vicious cycle. It is not an easy thing to feel belonged to a new country. I believe at this stage, the relationships with people are the most important thing. If you can not create the connection with other people in your new country it is probably harder to feel secure and accepted. I think if the prejudice is not broken, it seems less possible. Immigrants all over the world-especially from east- are seen as criminals and not accepted. So, they could not find jobs because of the prejudice or they are always under the danger of discrimination. People do not believe in them, so they have to create the chance of changing this prejudice. Though, if this prejudice stays like that, how can they start to act other tyhan illegal ways? I guess this type of vicious cyles can be seen in the families too. Maybe it sounds simplistic, but I believe this is about basic human behaviours. If you do not believe your child or tell him that he is not very useful all the time, he has to open a window himself, but if he cant? Is it his fault..

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