Confronting Racial Stereotypes in Mainstream Media During a Pandemic
The ACSYA Inc. met with the Hon. Chris Bowen MP, Shadow Minister for Health and Federal Member of Parliament for McMahon earlier this afternoon. The Board discussed growing community concerns regarding the latest mainstream media coverage concerning the Delta strain outbreak in the electorate of McMahon, and its perpetuation and promotion of negative racial stereotypes.
The Minister was briefed on how the process of 'othering' can harm Assyrian-Australians, particularly in their experience of their individual attachments to the wider Australian society. ACSYA Inc. asked the Minister to act now to stop the spread of such harmful narratives adversely impacting his constituency.
Furthermore, the Board emphasised the importance that authorities must make every effort to confront xenophobia, including where migrants and others are subject to discrimination linked to either the origin or spread of this highly infectious disease. COVID-19 does not discriminate.
Othering and Blame in the COVID-19 Pandemic
According to research, marginalised groups, including religious, ethnic, or racial minorities and migrants have historically been targets of blame and scorn during disease outbreaks. Historically, the dominant societies have constructed narratives associating such outbreaks with marginal groups as coping mechanisms against the "fear of the unknown", loss of control, and related social, political, and economic consequences. By 'othering' marginal groups, dominant societies develop social boundaries and thus depict the ‘others’ as "disease breeders".
All Australians should be equitably represented by mainstream media, regardless of their racial identity. Recent media coverage concerning the Delta strain outbreak in the electorate of McMahon and elsewhere appears to be failing in this.
Further Reading
Dionne, K., & Turkmen, F. (2020). The Politics of Pandemic Othering: Putting COVID-19 in Global and Historical Context. International Organisation, 74(S1), E213-E230. doi:10.1017/S0020818320000405
