Intersectional Analyse of Newspaper Articles about Incoming

Refugees from Africa in European Union

Jakub Grecki,
Department of Communication Sciences
Second year of Bachelor degree in International Encounters in Culture (University of Lodz,
Poland)
Gender en Diversiteit 2014/2015

During the last years, there has been a hype in the media regarding refugees from
Africa . There are two main areas of problems related with these people which are instantly
described by the reporters. Firstly it is the increase of deaths at the Mediterranean sea taking
risks in smuggle boats trying to come into Europe. Secondly it is a group of articles more
concentrated on the challenges and problems faced by refugees in European Union countries
in economical aspects mainly. Both topics gaining popularity mainly after tragedy at sea when
many people die or when there is a financial crisis or protests in the affected multi cultural
European countries.

I will analyse first article from International Business Times written by Philip Ross.
That author describes more than 2500 refugees from Africa and the Middle East have
drowned or gone missing trying to cross the Mediterranean sea to Europe this year compared
with 700 people in 2013, having boarded unsafe smugglers boats that sank in route from
Libya a U.N report estimates. [Ross, 2014]
There are two visible negative features in the European perspective regarding immigrants
from third world African countries.
First of all , these dead victims are described only as a numbers , statistics , something really
sad , but acceptable for European audience . For instance From 1993 to 2013, more than
20,000 people died trying to reach the Italian coast . . . That number includes 2,300 in 2011
and 700 in 2013. [Ross, 2014] and also The more than 2,200 of the deaths that have
occurred in accidents this year happened after the start of June. That does not include the
sinking of a ship off the coast of Malta last week that killed an estimated 500 refugees after
the traffickers hired to smuggle them into Europe purposely sank the boat. The figure also
does not include the 250 African immigrants who died off the coast of Libya. [Ross, 2014]
In these fragments the facts speak for themselves. It a common accepted racist approach in

this Society. Africans are treated as second class citizens with no rights and mostly sidelined
as a menace to the European society. The reports do not mention anything about their age ,
gender , ethnicity. Clearly, the media would create a global tragedy if such a situation
happened to their citizens. It is a form of Eurocentrism . Western culture do not care about
outsiders , everything is crucial when it comes to one of their own citizens. In that article
there is a statement from popular Hollywood star Angelina Jolie stating that the increase of
immigrants at sea is related with conflicts in Syria and elsewhere . [Ross, 2014]
That elsewhere is a perfect word which describes a common approach from the Western
culture to other different origins. We can read about similar situation in paper of
GloriaWekker and Helma Lutz . In Netherland language and culture , there is common
tendency to define people on group of Dutch allochtoon and group of

people from

elsewhere like called autochtoon. [Wekker and Lutz, 2001] It is a natural , common used
terminology in Dutch language [Wekker and Lutz, 2001] , which in fact divides society and
someone who is black, immigrant, refugee and for example Muslim will be put in group of
autochtoon - strangers. It produces racial differences in society .

Another article is related with life of refugees in Europe and their transition into the
European system, 20 year-old Sara Mohamed sits in a class with ten other young refugees.
Today's lesson is German. Wearing a long, dark headscarf, Sara jokes, laughs heartily and
gives the correct answer to questions posed by the teacher. [Kamara, 2014] Author of that
text describes her looks, highlighting her Muslim origins, indirectly and also fact that (she)
gives the correct answer to a question shows the cultural approach to Muslim women which
is biased. As a reader I can say that Sara is affiliated to group of the others [Kamara, 2014]
who have to struggle with problems of both black , women , refugee and Muslim people in
our society. It is interesting to observe that we do not read about the challenges faced by the

likes of Sara trying to integrate into their new society, but what is strongly highlighted is their
difference and the possibility of them being a threat to society.

Next article is also related with stories of a two refugees, who were rescued by Italian
Navy. We can read about their life , steps which they have to take to get into Europe.
Nevertheless in that paper we can see some facts which are a stereotypes about black people.
For example that they are more aggressive or even wild. Author of the text included the fact
that one of the young refugees was in jail, just before he came to Italy and also that he had to
fight against government forces in his country. Noted also are the neighbours complaining
about the amount of noise made by refugees during football games. [Riegert, 2014] It is an
example of treating refugees as strangers who are different from them , who significantly pose
a threat to the norm in the European Society , but in this case society observes them all the
time to find something different and inappropriate against them.

Next paper which I will analyze is about European fear related with rapid increase of
refugees from Africa. Article begins with short story connected with one of the immigrants,
and the new Italian program of rescuing refugees. In next paragraph titled A Dramatic
Increase in Refugees [Spiegel Online GmbH, 2014] we continue reading about incomers
from Africa. Approach to that situation is really negative, there is no question Why they are
coming? , there are only amounts written with fear . . . around 18,000 have completed the
journey since the beginning of the year. At one point last week, amid favourable weather
conditions, 4,000 refugees arrived within a period of just 48 hours. [Spiegel Online GmbH,
2014] at that point we can even feel hate and disappointment that they had good weather ,
and they survived. There is also homogenization of all of the immigrants we cannot see any
differentiation between people. It does not matter where they exactly come from , which

country , culture and who they are just we know that it is huge problem . Such a words
promote intolerance, for example In places where refugees are given more humane
treatment, their numbers are growing. [Spiegel Online GmbH, 2014] there is not direct
speech that we should not accept them , but everyone can easily see it. This approach easily
remind me the argument of Nira Yuval Davis that modern European multicultural society is
characterized by fear related with global war on terrorism. In a result Europeans started
divide society on us and others. Us in that context means Europeans and totally
assimilated immigrants. [Yuval Davis, 2011] Another paragraph This Is Not an Italian
Problem shows approach to human life , instrumental treating like objects or lesser beings
lower and also Eurocentric approach. Article ends with paragraph Is the Boat Full?
Europe as a boat which can rescue or reject migrants , This questions any good conduct, until
the end of the paper, there was no mention of the refugees, and definitely, there is no any
human features , values into their life .

Next article is about flood of refugees into Germany. That article shows visible
division between groups of in-power ( Europeans-Germans ) and subordinated refugees. The
beginning of an article start with short story about European heroes German Policemen
who are searching for illegal immigrants who are flooding their country : Ronny and Jako,
two German policemen in the Upper Bavarian city of Rosenheim . . .As on previous
mornings, Ronny and Jako are on the look-out for people who have been smuggled illegally
over the border. And the third vehicle that they check - an Italian tour bus - already yields
their first find of the day: two Nigerians have crossed the German border without valid
papers [Abebe, 2014] The real feeling from that very fragment is a way of Hunting on
something , in that situation Africans . Instrumental treating. Moreover After hesitating
for a while, one of them, who calls himself "Kennedy [Abebe, 2014] comes out with the truth: I

thought it would be a good idea to come here and apply for asylum. [Abebe, 2014] visible
assumption that this stranger can lie about his personal data. There is stereotypical thinking ,
that they (blacks, refugees) are not trustworthy , that they are simply wrong. Then there is a
description about increasing amount of illegal immigrants in Germany , they are shown just as
statistics homogenous group , lack of differentiation between them. Then we can read about one
of the actions of mentioned above Policemen in train:
They already spot the first refugee fight at the door. After the train has passed over the

German border, they speak to him: "We are German police. Passport, please!" [Abebe,
2014] upon a further reading we see that this caught Sudan migrant did no fight and in fact
he does not do nothing wrong, but in that article there is used tendency to create image of
aggressive , wild black , African , refugee man. Such an approach remind me a theory about
refugees in text of Liisa Malkki. Refugees who in a way of uprootedness , fast, without
order change their life, situation, soil everything. There is an idea that they are not
ordinary people, that they are different, and consist a problem in society. This problem is
even not related for instance with this flooding of refugees on the territory of Europe, but
within the bodies and minds (and even souls) of people categorized as refugees. (Malkki,
1992) There is relation with a complex of psychological problems of such a refugees in new
environment.

Next article is about Great Britain which wants to oppose against coming refugees
from Africa. [BBC News, 2014] In that paper refugees are also shown as a homogenous group
, there is no information and differentiation only migrants. Moreover , this text start with
words that maybe it is not good idea to help refugees , because we encourage them to come
to Europe. [BBC News, 2014] In fact it is treating that people as someone on lower position
than we are. Further we read that help for refugees on the Mediterranean Sea has been
already limited , and refuges have lower chance to survive. Such a approach will be
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unacceptable when it comes into Europeans who will be in similar situation. We will know for
sure precocious amounts of people , differentiation on gender and age group plus information
about health conditions of the people. Last paragraph of that article is titled Organised
criminals , after reading information above most of the readers will think that that incomers
from Africa for sure are in gangs or they will be dangerous, but not. This short paragraph is
about Michael Diedring from European Council of Refugees who is opposing to new refugees
policy. He only explains difficult position of immigrants " So individuals who are stranded in
north Africa who are fleeing for their lives, the only way that they can attempt to come to
Europe is through the use of organized criminals. " [BBC News, 2014] there is no even
relation that immigrants do something wrong , but the title Organized criminals may say
much more than reality is. It is also a way of putting stamp on migrants.

Next article also touch topic of Britain which will not help in rescue of refugees from
Africa anymore. [Doyle and Chorley, 2014] In that situation we also read that help them can
encourage migrants to come to Europe and even help done by Italian Navy on Sea is called
Taxi Service for refugees. Here also we have visible homogenization of the immigrants , we
not receive any information about them , their differentiation. Nonetheless that article has one
characteristic feature which differ it from previous one creation of Europe and Britain in
really positive light. Mentioned above Nira Yuval Davis also write in her paper about
ethics of care created by feminists but common used in national or political areas. [Yuval
Davis, 2011] In that very fragment , we can feel this ideological and official used care
approach to refugees. On the one hand they say that they will not help incomers, but on the
other hand they argue that it will be better and it is a way of help , to counter dangerous Sea
crossings. Main argument against supporting immigrants say that if Europe will help , there
will be increase of migrants who will come and increase of death on the Sea at the same time.

In fact if they will be really important, we will read more about them, but not, most of the
papers say only instrumental about group of immigrants and Europe which has many
problems with them.

Next text is about refugees from Africa in Berlin who do not want to leave the country.
[Al Jazeera, 2014] They have not received the permission to stay , and they have not asylum
anymore their applications have been rejected . We read at the beginning Hundreds of
police officers have surrounded a former school in Berlin which has been occupied by
refugees who refuse to leave. [Al Jazeera, 2014] it is clear promotion of stereotypes about
Africans who are aggressive , also discrimination of them , treating as a lower than we are.
We have no sufficient information in this article , that they committed any crimes or wrong.
They fight for their rights in form of strike , but way in which it is shown is really wrong
Hundreds of police officers it automatically create really negative image of refugees , who
in fact do ordinary things done by any other members of society. That article is really short
but has only negative impact on situation of Africans. We cannot read who they are , why they
applications have been rejected, what are they arguments. Their voice in not equal compared
to the Europeans.

The last article is about Southern Spanish city Melilla, which is recently attracted by
many African immigrants. [Sanderson, 2014] In that paper we read about growing
immigrant problem associated with illegal migrants from Africa who try in every way cross
twenty three foot fence to get to the Europe. Here is visible high division between Europeans
and Africans. Immigrants are showed as evil , with whom locals and Spanish government
permanent fight.

First of all, there is touched aspect of incomers , who use that border to travel on the North
(UK, Scandinavia) Their preferred destination countries are usually the UK, based on the
generous social security and the language, or Scandinavian countries. [Sanderson, 2014]
generalization and suggestion that immigrants will use social system of UK. It is not
mentioned , that maybe they just looking for stability and happiness like every European do.
Joan Tronto especially appreciate one aspect of citizenship, which is crucial for immigrants
who want to live in Western country spatial rights . That rights give for citizens guarantee,
that they can permanently stay and live in the country. For that people, it means the right to
plan a future. [Yuval Davis, 2011]
Secondly, immigrants are identified not only as a problem in general, but also as a evil and
danger with whom locals fight The city and its surrounding areas have mooted the idea of
increased security at the border, with detection wires, tear gas dispensers, radar, and day and
night vision cameras. [Sanderson, 2014] it makes vision of Africans who are aggressive ,
dangerous, and also high objectification of them. This argument approve also fragment On
Thursday, there was an organised attempt by 500 or so migrants, who had gathered in small
groups and tried to approach the heavily guarded frontier. They were pushed back by
Moroccan police. [Sanderson, 2014] Whole article do not include any information and
differentiation about immigrants, they are homogenized. There is no any voice from that
people, no any dialog between Europeans and Africans. Nevertheless we read only negative
comments about that people which are full of anger and stereotypical thinking and biases .

Regardless of high level of development of European and Western culture , both in

aspect of education , technical and economical there are still visible negative tendencies in
approach to Africans and other cultures, which are common accepted and naturally used. First
of all, Eurocentrism is the dominant ideology visible in most of the articles. Europeans are

showed on higher position and treated completely better than , refugees and immigrants from
Africa. Europe and European Union is presenting as something the best , what have to be
protected and an access to that European World should be reduced for incomers. Moreover,
approach to human life and situation of the others who want to live in Europe is often very
instrumental it is not equal treating. Another tendency related also with instrumental
approach is commodification of refugees. They are permanently showed as one mass, group
without any differentiation between one another , in a result audience (readers) do not know
about them a lot. Their features and difference is ignored and hidden, perceived as not
important. Stereotypical thinking is also still present in many articles. Authors highlight
wildness , difference of the incomers. Refugees who have already got asylum in Europe,
have to struggle with stereotypes about their religion, origins, culture and every difference is
often highlighting. Because of common fear of Europeans related with different conflicts , and
terrorism they mostly better accept immigrants, who will totally assimilate with European
culture and reject their previous lifestyle.

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References:
Malkki, Liisa. (1992). "National Geographic: The Rooting of Peoples and the
Territorialization of National Identity among Scholars and Refugees". Cultural Anthropology,
Vol. 7, No. 1, Space, Identity, and the Politics of Difference. (pp. 24-44).
Wekker, G. and Lutz, H. (2001). A wind-swept plain: the history of gender and ethnicitythought in the Netherlands.
Yuval - Davis, Nira. (2011). Nationalism, belonging, globalization and the ethics of care.
Ross, Philip. (2014). Europe Refugee Boat Sinkings Direct Result Of Middle East, Africa
Conflicts. International Business Times.
Kamara, Sarah. (2013). Young refugees from Africa face up to the challenges of life in
Europe. Deutsche Welle.
Riegert, Bernd. (2014). African refugees find new home in Palermo, Italy. Deutsche Welle.
Europe's African Refugee Crisis: Is the Boat Really Full?. (15 April 2014). Spiegel Online
GmbH.
Abebe, Lidet. (2014). A year after the Lampedusa tragedy, refugees continue to flood into
Germany. Deutsche Welle.
UK opposes future migrant rescues in Mediterranean. (28 October 2014). BBC News UK.
Doyle, Jack, and Chorley, Matt. (2014). Britain refuses to help immigrants adrift in the
Mediterranean because it could encourage more to flee North Africa. Daily Mail Online.
African refugees in Berlin school standoff. (27 June 2014). Al Jazeera.
Sanderson, A. B. (2014). SPANISH CITY OF MELILLA LATEST FRONTLINE FOR
IMMIGRANTS TRYING TO ENTER EUROPE. Breitbart News.

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Annex:
International Business Times. (15 September 2014). Europe Refugee Boat Sinkings Direct
Result Of Middle East, Africa Conflicts. Ross, Philip.
Deutsche Welle. (27 December 2013). Young refugees from Africa face up to the challenges of
life in Europe. Kamara, Sarah.
Deutsche Welle. (15 November 2014). African refugees find new home in Palermo, Italy.
Riegert, Bernd.
Spiegel Online GmbH. (15 April 2014). Europe's African Refugee Crisis: Is the Boat Really
Full?.
Deutsche Welle. (3 November 2014). A year after the Lampedusa tragedy, refugees continue
to flood into Germany. Abebe, Lidet.
BBC News UK. (28 October 2014). UK opposes future migrant rescues in Mediterranean.
Daily Mail Online. (28 October 2014). Britain refuses to help immigrants adrift in the
Mediterranean because it could encourage more to flee North Africa. Doyle, Jack, and
Chorley, Matt.
Al Jazeera. (27 June 2014). African refugees in Berlin school standoff.
Breitbart News. (1 December 2014). SPANISH CITY OF MELILLA LATEST FRONTLINE
FOR IMMIGRANTS TRYING TO ENTER EUROPE. Sanderson, A. B.

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