Description
Book SynopsisNegative stereotypes about immigrants and strangers exist in all societies and countries. For many, immigrants represent a threat and a challenge to the ingrained habits and traditions of the majority, which leads to friction. To analyze these majority-minority encounters, this study uses perspectives from sub-fields of theoretical study that are closely related but rarely, if ever, brought together. These include perceptions of socio-cultural risk; stereotype formation, scapegoating, and enemy images; mass media reporting on immigrants; and the study of everyday practices or the mundane. Using three neighboring small towns in Sweden as case studies, Stories about Strangers follows the local discourse, primarily through the daily newspaper of the communities, to assess and evaluate the views and/or prejudices about immigrants.
Table of ContentsPart 1 Preface Chapter 2 1. Introducing the Study Chapter 3 2. Constructions of Socio-Cultural Risk Chapter 4 3. Stories, Strangers, Stereotypes, Scapegoats Chapter 5 4. News Media, the Mundane, and the Depictions of Strangers Chapter 6 5. The Power of Stereotypes: Asylum-Seekers in Markaryd Chapter 7 6. Absent from the Everyday: The Ljunby Story Chapter 8 7. Urban Legends and False Rumours: Pizzerias in Älmhult Chapter 9 8. Lessons and Reflections Part 10 Bibliography Part 11 Interviewees Part 12 Index Part 13 About the Author
