The video shown is an example of how Muslims within Britain are often met with a large amount of racism and prejudice. We can see a type of racism which hasn't been seen since the civil rights period with people refusing to serve them in cafes. People can also be seen shouting hateful things towards the woman. The video began with the woman walking around with her face showing. We can see that people were staring at her as she was walking around. Matters became worse when she wore a full burka and was met with even more stares and this is when she became targeted by members of the public.
To the question 'Is Britain Racist?' I would say no. People are all becoming affected by mass Hysteria as a result to recent events and it has fuelled a lot of bad attitudes towards Muslims. We can see that the woman was receiving stares from people as she was walking around with her face showing. This doesn't necessarily reflect racism or hate towards Muslims, instead it is mainly a result of the woman feeling self conscious about her religion, when in reality the people passing her most probably wouldn't be affected by the sight of a Muslim woman. This shows the effects of paranoia around times of terrorism and how it works on both sides, in this case the Muslim woman was affected and caused to feel self conscious about people looking at her. When she put on the burka we can however see some clear examples of racism. We can see some people shouting offensive things to the woman as well as banning her from a shop. This shows the other side of paranoia due to terrorism. The Burka has been a topic of controversy within newspapers and news stories. Some of the public have associated the Burka with the unknown which has caused feelings of paranoia to come out within some members of the public.
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
Todorov Homework
Before 9/11, like Todorov's theory suggests, there was a state of equilibrium within society. However, post 9/11 society is the disequilibrum that has been disrupted by these events. Since the impact of this event, the world was woken up to the dangers of terrorism which made the become more of a real threat. At this time the world has become one filled with hysteria and paranoia surrounding muslims. Now people have an association of this race with terrorism, without considering the small minority of muslims that are actually violent.
Efforts have been made to attempt to repair the damage done through means such as rebuilding and memorial. Unlike Todorov's narrative theory however, the world can never truly return to the original equilibrium. Even today as terrorism continues around the world, more and more people reflect on events such as 9/11, causing the Muslims who are not violent to be put in the crossfire as a result. The world trade centre has since been rebuilt and strategies to dealing with terrorists have been massively improved. This shows the realisation of a disruption in Todorov's theory and the attempts to return it to its original state.
As society begins to form a new equilibrium, we are struck with new disasters that further shake the foundations of the world. Examples of these events such as the recent Paris shootings show us how instantly the world can be thrown into disequilibrium again. At this time of mass hysteria and paranoia, the media target their headlines in order to press on these fears, in order to sell more papers or receive more views. Examples can be seen on Twitter or in newspapers such as the sun who recently published a front page article entitled '1 in 5 Muslims' sympathy for jihadis'. In traditional Sun fashion, they have attempted to seek their issues by posting this controversial headline. This again has put more Muslims in the line of fire with all of the worlds paranoia. The use of the terrorist on the front cover with the article shows the intention of the article even further. The aim is to prey on people who are feeling the effects of hysteria and make them pick up a copy of the Sun as a result.
Efforts have been made to attempt to repair the damage done through means such as rebuilding and memorial. Unlike Todorov's narrative theory however, the world can never truly return to the original equilibrium. Even today as terrorism continues around the world, more and more people reflect on events such as 9/11, causing the Muslims who are not violent to be put in the crossfire as a result. The world trade centre has since been rebuilt and strategies to dealing with terrorists have been massively improved. This shows the realisation of a disruption in Todorov's theory and the attempts to return it to its original state.
As society begins to form a new equilibrium, we are struck with new disasters that further shake the foundations of the world. Examples of these events such as the recent Paris shootings show us how instantly the world can be thrown into disequilibrium again. At this time of mass hysteria and paranoia, the media target their headlines in order to press on these fears, in order to sell more papers or receive more views. Examples can be seen on Twitter or in newspapers such as the sun who recently published a front page article entitled '1 in 5 Muslims' sympathy for jihadis'. In traditional Sun fashion, they have attempted to seek their issues by posting this controversial headline. This again has put more Muslims in the line of fire with all of the worlds paranoia. The use of the terrorist on the front cover with the article shows the intention of the article even further. The aim is to prey on people who are feeling the effects of hysteria and make them pick up a copy of the Sun as a result.
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Homework
Despite being different, these images show the result of post 9/11 hysteria. 9/11 marked a time of fear within the world, making terrorism seem a much more real threat than had previously been thought. The 77 bombings in the UK would further set the tone for a heightened alertness within the world's ideology. As the population of those who share a religion have begun to rise within the UK and other countries, this minority has been subjected to segregation and have been targeted violently by the media and people. Ever since the public have become worried of having terrorists imbed themselves within our society. The burka is an item that has been targeted as people often wrongly associate this sight with terrorism and secrecy. Others just look to have an equal standard for all, in the same way that any other person wouldn't be able to conceal their faces in banks and airports. Sharia law has been shown to be a very violent practice, but as the article above states this is 'Muslim Law'. This is very misleading as not all Muslims practice this law, so again this minority have been put in the public eye and has only increased the publics scepticism regarding Muslims.
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