Hellenic Forums Omogenia - YASOU - Hellenism: Phobia or Defense?

Hard question - that one N1k0las.
Would be nice to simply say: Live & Let Live (all cultures, all xenous, all creeds, and so on) - without provocation or imposition of one's thoughts/ideals upon another > but that's rarely the case.

Xenophobia and its resistance - will unfortunately always be controlled and ultimately challenged (or thwarted) - sooner or later - by those in 'power' (from all sectors and of all persuasions - whether we're talking elitists, political entities or radical groups and extremists, and so on). You have brought up a favourite topic of mine. Consider the following 'Food 4 Thought' :

Below are some extracts from one of my studies about the stigmas associated with embedded perceptions of subversion, difference, otherness and xenophobia (and the ultimate representation of such entities via the media) > Versus hegemony, conformity and authoritarian bodies which collectively aim to sustain/maintain the status quo and 'keep a lid' on the 'prescribed', so-called norms (or normative ideals and values) within society/ies >>

Extract a): When I began this project I specifically set out to understand what particular conditions or mechanisms might possibly drive fears, hatred and/or prejudices within societies, and decided that such a complicated question might well be explored through media and cultural texts which consistently drew criticism and controversy and which periodically evoked significant levels of social anxieties...

...it seems we are consistently setting symbolic boundaries (or rigid interfaces) between mainstream communities and those 'other', 'xenous' (strangers) who are somehow deemed different or unconventional in order to establish some sense of the vast cultural differences and alternative practices that exist in this kaleidoscopic, multicultural, multi-ethnic world of ours. Unfortunately, classifying and:

Quote > "Marking 'difference' [inevitably] leads us, symbolically, to close ranks, shore up culture and to stigmatise and expel anything which is defined as impure, abnormal. However, paradoxically, it also makes 'difference' powerful, strangely attractive precisely because it is forbidden, taboo, threatening to cultural order", (Hall, p.237).

Unfortunately, exercising one's 'power' (or presumed right) to be openly 'different' or defiant within the public arena (especially on National television) - frequently attracts judgmental scrutiny, and quite arguably is no more than a temporary illusion (or falsified impression) of aspired 'empowerment'. Particularly for those who are already conceived of as somewhat contentious, deviant or subversive within societies. Ironically, sensationalised reality programs and controversial talk shows have "not only given a [temporary] voice but a face to our fear and rage, enable us to point the finger of blame at the tube - at 'them' - and roar for punishment", (Nelson, 1995, p.4 of 4). Consequently, who is liberated and empowered and who is ultimately chastised or condemned?

Extract b) The provocation of fears and the proliferation of gossip or moral panics (that may be roused by critics, elites or the ever-vigil panopticon viewers) over media representations that sensationally portray different groups or entities considered subversive, different or 'other' (from time to time) is clearly unproductive toward socio-cultural relations in the 'real' world, and surely irresponsible of those concerned. Negative or hostile commentary towards such represented groups (or identities) basically serves to exacerbate and to reinforce cultural inequities, and can subsequently impel a series of negative, destructive responses to emerge within societies and communities, namely:

"...hatred [which] embodies a complex set of fears about difference and Otherness. It reveals what some people fear in themselves, their own differences. Hatred forms around the unknown, the difference of 'others' ", (Zilah Eisenstein) ; "Fear of non-conformity, fear of race, fear of disease...fear of non-straight sex,... fear of women...fear of colour, fear of desire, fear of crime, fear of 'illegals', fear of uprising. Fear is both the justification that drives the disciplinary apparatus of the nation-state (police, INS, military, schools) and the intended effects on the body politic. Fear drives repression, containment, co-optation, torture, and annihilation of 'unruly' subjects whose class, race, sex, ideological and religious differences, for example, are threats to bourgeois, capitalist, patriarchal and neocolonial orders. Fear drives the militarization of borders, anti-gay violence... xenophobia...lynching...police, the Christian right...action policies...to name a few", (Aldama, June 2000, pp.1,2 of 4).

Extract c) Paradoxically, the guarded zeal of supremacists, moralists and staunch idealists is a powerful force to be reckoned with: these hegemonic 'alliances' seem permanently grounded. Oppressing those who digress or contravene the so-called 'normative' boundaries of culture and/or society, and condemning subversive or controversial forms of popular culture is nothing new. Apparently, as Fiske informs us:

"the diversity of social groups with their diversity of social interests...[are frequently] expressed in the resistance to homogenization...[indicating a] conflict of interests...[which] may be summed up as the exercise of the power to be different...This power constructs meanings, pleasures, and social identities that differ...and the area within which it is exercised [most notedly] is that of representation", (1987, p.315).

And my final thoughts on this particular subject matter (you raised N1k0las) - is clearly described and self-evident in one of my proses/poems that I had posted on this site (some time ago) called Xenophobia, Disunity and Discord .

(I tried ... to keep myself from responding - but couldn't resist - given that its a subject of great interest to me).