Are Facebook
photos an effective way of combating stereotypes? Is it too easy for Zeman and other
politicians to demonize minority groups in order to get votes? What can be done about this? Does recognition
by a prominent Czech journalist help?
(Feel free to follow the links to see the photos.)
This is a comment from Anna:
ReplyDeleteRacism takes many forms and can happen anywhere anytime. The act of Czech President was for sure one of the typical expressions of racial stereotypes against the Roma citizens. I found that absolutely abhorrent and it is unbelievable that these words came out from the mouth of one of representatives of Czech Republic. Unfortunately, this kind of abusive stereotype is common among other Czech citizens as well. As stated in the article: “The situations in excluded localities, the relationship of the white majority toward Romani people - which is based on the slogan "we used to have one gypsy in the building, but he was a decent one" - and then the trafficking in poverty. Naturally, there are “Gypsies” who refuse to work, take advantage of the social system and subsequently fail to blend in the society. My point is, however, that one should not make such condemnatory remarks and conclusions based only on stereotypes.
As mentioned in the article, "Right now, it's the Muslims. However, in the end, it will be us again all the same." It is depressing that even in the 21st century, the era of globalization and migration, there is still a lot of people who think of themselves as superior due to their skin color and ethnicity. In my understanding, these people often just need someone they could blame for the problems the society has. High criminal rates? It must be the "Gypsies". Or Muslims. The same goes with any major problems, including the unemployment Miloš Zeman talked about. Nothing in the world is “black and white” and nobody should be mistreated or devalued because of their origin and appearance. What truly matters is the acts of a human being. The behavior of Miloš Zeman only shows what kind of person he really is.