Page 7 | Compassion & media coverage towards Ukraine but not the Middle East/Africa

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 07/03/2022 21:14

There have been a lot of threads on this and similar subjects - there was even one that suggested the only reason Putin hadn't been killed off was because he was white.

I'm not really sure what the point of them is? Is it so people who see themselves as virtuous can point at all the nasty racists?

roarfeckingroarr · 07/03/2022 21:15

This thread has been done to death

madroid · 07/03/2022 21:17

@Villagewaspbyke Now is not the time to attack Ukrainians that should say!

I don't think anyone is (apart from Putin), it's the hypocritical attitude to white/Christian compared to brown/Muslim refugees in the media/individuals that many people have noticed and feel disgusted about - that is what's being attacked - the hypocrisy.

Fordian · 07/03/2022 21:18

God, OP, you're so naive.

If only we could shape the world into one giant Coke(tm) advert.

Tillsforthrills · 07/03/2022 21:18

OP do you know how many refugees UK and Europe has taken from Africa and Middle East?

I do hope they do the same for Ukrainians trying to escape.

Original poster

babyhaha · 07/03/2022 21:18

Same way the OP may not feel overly sympathetic to the Ukrainians by comparing it to other countries with different cultures.

@Tillsforthrills that's not the case at all. Unlike many people here, I'm able to care and have empathy for anyone who's going through such horrible tragedy. Regardless of any culture similarities or whether or not these people look like me.
I've simply asked why there's been a difference in reactions and I've been given answers

OP posts:

Clarabe1 · 07/03/2022 21:20

I think it’s because when it happens in the Middle East it feels like it’s a world away, different culture, different religion- and we are used to it, compassion fatigue sets in. The Ukraine conflict has hit home because it’s our continent, they look like us and let’s be honest it could affect us. None of that is acceptable, you are absolutely right. It’s horrific wherever it happens and all lives are precious. I actually think the invasion of Iraq was a war crime. I think Tony Blair and George Bush should be trialed for war crimes.

Original poster

babyhaha · 07/03/2022 21:21

[quote madroid]@Villagewaspbyke Now is not the time to attack Ukrainians that should say!

I don't think anyone is (apart from Putin), it's the hypocritical attitude to white/Christian compared to brown/Muslim refugees in the media/individuals that many people have noticed and feel disgusted about - that is what's being attacked - the hypocrisy.[/quote]
Thank you @madroid this is exactly my point. The hypocrisy in the media has been VERY telling. It's been so telling to the point that I've had to stop listening to the news. The constant emphasis that this situation is so bad simply because it's happening to people with 'blonde hair and blue eyes' is only disgusting. Like how the hell is that okay?!

OP posts:

roarfeckingroarr · 07/03/2022 21:22

For me it's because it's mostly women and children, it's because they're on our doorstep and we have a shared threat, and yes a bit is cultural - I feel more warmth and compassion for women ans children who come from a society where women are equal and their very way of life isn't anathema to ours (eh sharia law). People who will want to assimilate into British life and not pose a risk to our society (many many young men from very different cultures with very different values can be a bit scary as a woman)

Tillsforthrills · 07/03/2022 21:22

Ok well while they’re being invaded by Russia shelled, bombed and killed, I hope you have found the answers you were looking for.

MacaroniBaloney · 07/03/2022 21:22

@babyhaha

1 comment out of 33 does not make for a balanced view.

Anyhow, I'm off, I'd not realised it was a 'if you don't agree with me, you must be racist' thread.

Crack on.

Original poster

babyhaha · 07/03/2022 21:23

@Clarabe1

I think it’s because when it happens in the Middle East it feels like it’s a world away, different culture, different religion- and we are used to it, compassion fatigue sets in. The Ukraine conflict has hit home because it’s our continent, they look like us and let’s be honest it could affect us. None of that is acceptable, you are absolutely right. It’s horrific wherever it happens and all lives are precious. I actually think the invasion of Iraq was a war crime. I think Tony Blair and George Bush should be trialed for war crimes.

@Clarabe1 thanks for your comment. Before starting this thread I didn't think location would have any difference on people's thoughts/feelings but it clearly does. Your comment sums up most of the comments in one post so it's much appreciated

OP posts:

Cheshirecatwoman · 07/03/2022 21:23

“ Cheshirecatwoman what agenda? From the start of the thread people have literally said it's easier to feel empathy for those that look like them. Is that not race? And what culture is this that makes you feel sudden empathy that you can't feel for the Middle East/Africa?”

You are being deliberately inflammatory @babyhaha.

On the one hand you are implying that there is no cultural difference between the Middle East and Africa and Europe.

On the other hand you mention that it would be dangerous for women and children to make the journey to Europe due to the risk of rape and trafficking!

And then you are comparing a situation of civil unrest in historically volatile countries with an unprovoked invasion of a peaceful non-volatile country.

And then in your virtuous attempt to treat everyone with compassion, you resort to describing those who do not share your opinion as daily mail readers and as unintelligent and unable to think for themselves.

Try and understand the views and opinions of others and realise that they are equally valid and based on their own life experiences.

flowerycurtain · 07/03/2022 21:24

Because will have a huge impact on our food prices. Head of Yara on the news today saying this

Ukraine war 'catastrophic for global food' www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60623941

Cheshirecatwoman · 07/03/2022 21:25

Oh and not everyone in the uk is white and middle class but most of us are westernised and share a moral compass no matter what our colour is.

Why are you trying to make it only about race?

Knittingchamp · 07/03/2022 21:25

[quote babyhaha]This is something that has been on my mind for a little while so hopefully I'm able to word it correctly.

Since the invasion in Ukraine there has been constant threads about this on MN. This is also something that is constantly spoken about and written about in the media as it rightly should be. This is a major thing that's going on and people should obviously be informed about this.

However, why is this not the case when there's constant wars happening in the Middle East and Africa? Iraq, Palastine, Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan etc the list really does go on. There's still innocent people in these countries that are getting killed for no reason. Now I've personally never seen threads about these countries on MN but as I don't spend too much time I'm on here, I could be wrong. What I am certain about, is these countries BARELY get any media attention from the West, if ever at all. Why is that?!

Is this because Ukraine is a European country and not a third world country where things like these are 'expected to happen?' Do people feel that as the people in these countries are minorities that they don't deserve the same sort of empathy that the Ukrainians are getting? I really am interested to know why there's such a massive difference in terms of media coverage and general compassion.

It's actually interesting because just a few days ago, supermodel Bella Hadid stated that Muslim suffering deserves the same level of outrage as Ukraine and she is absolutely right. And to those who may say I'm exaggerating or this isn't the case, I've linked a Twitter thread below which has clips of the most racist Ukraine coverage on TV and the wording used in each and every clip is very telling. I'd be very interested in hearing people's thoughts.

twitter.com/alanrmacleod/status/1497974245737050120?s=21[/quote]
People are saying the same as you, constantly. And we've heard years of coverage of other terrible wars. What can we do about them? It's horrible, all of it. A lot of us do a lot to try and help various conflicts or charities but don't shout about it on social media. Doesn't mean it isn't happening.

When other mums and their kids are being shelled and killed right now in the Ukraine, we need to at least be humane enough to stop the 'but what about' comments, don't we?

Plus this could lead to WWIII of course, and go nuclear, hence the interest, and it's much geographically closer than any other recent major conflict.

Fordian · 07/03/2022 21:26

@madroid

This thread shows how so many people just cannot think for themselves. They are led by the media and do not recognise their own bigotry and racism.

Or, as humans, we recognise 'macro' and 'micro'. We cannot care the same for everyone on the planet. You'd have to be 12 to think so.

We care far more for the micro. It's human nature, it's what keeps us and our family/local communities alive, basically.

As an aside, I wonder how many of you are 60? Who recall the USSR? The Cold War? That affected the western world? That spectre has re-arisen 'in the east'. Let's not forget some aspects of history.

And this time around, the aggressor is threatening nukes. It feels rather more personal.

Villagewaspbyke · 07/03/2022 21:28

@madroid but op and others are trying to move focus away from helping Ukrainians at a time when they really need our help. Basically op is shouting “ALL LIVES MATTER” at a Black Lives Matter protest. Now is the time to help Ukraine. If you have some issue about how Ukrainian refugees are really privileged white people or we only want to help them because they are, save it until at least the worst atrocities are over. Otherwise don’t be surprised if people think you’re a Russian bot.

To be honest I don’t think it’s true that it’s racism anyway- we were utterly disinterested in refugees from the former Yugoslavia despite them being white folks.

Tillsforthrills · 07/03/2022 21:28

@Cheshirecatwoman

I’m not white but find the timing of this thread thread really distasteful.

The UK had helped my Mother and millions of others from all around the world, taken them in and given them a better life.

Chonfox · 07/03/2022 21:29

I find this "whataboutism" so tedious. Of course people will care more about something closer to home that impacts on people who they can relate to more. It's really not complicated. Journalism schools teach about newsworthiness and one of the factors that determines if a story is considered "newsworthy" or not is proximity. Ukraine is in Europe, it is culturally and geographically closer to us in Western Europe than say Burkina Faso.

Proximity and cultural similarity makes it more "real" and therefore has a greater impact. Stop wringing your hands over what is essentially human nature.

Villagewaspbyke · 07/03/2022 21:30

@madroid - maybe this thread shows how easy it is for bots to manipulate the foolish including the foolish guardian reader types.

PurpleHills · 07/03/2022 21:32

@Whelmed

There was a great outpour of support for refugees from Afghanistan last year. It's all very short lived as it will very likely be for Ukrainian refugees as well.

Yes, there was but nothing compared to the outpouring of empathy people are showing now.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 07/03/2022 21:34

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll but what on Earth makes you think he is 'happy' to flee his country and leave his family behind?! I think this conversation is pointless because you clearly don't know any migrants and it shows

OK, 'happy' wasn't the best word for me to use as clearly, nobody is being jolly and lighthearted about anything. The point I was trying to make was that these men - making dangerous and harrowing decisions and journeys - are coming for economic reasons.

As I (I believed) clearly said, I do not personally blame them at all: they aren't reasonably well-off and looking for riches; they have nothing and they are wanting a little something - security and a basic standard of living without fear - for themselves and their families; and why ever wouldn't they want that? Good luck to them, I say.

All I was saying is that, ultimately (and the way many people see it, albeit in a grossly exaggerated manner), their plight is economic rather than great risk of imminent violent death.

If your children were going without food, shivering, wearing far-outgrown clothes and unable to do the very basic things that their friends took for granted, would you gladly leave them at home (with their other parent or another responsible adult) and go to work to earn money to elevate the whole family's standard of living? I'm guessing the answer would be Yes.

If, however, your house was on fire, would you still willingly leave them at home and go out to your job? I doubt it.

RobinBlackbird · 07/03/2022 21:34

[quote Villagewaspbyke]@madroid - maybe this thread shows how easy it is for bots to manipulate the foolish including the foolish guardian reader types.[/quote]
The Twitter link in OP indicates where it's coming from.

SnowdropsInSpring · 07/03/2022 21:36

[quote Villagewaspbyke]@madroid but op and others are trying to move focus away from helping Ukrainians at a time when they really need our help. Basically op is shouting “ALL LIVES MATTER” at a Black Lives Matter protest. Now is the time to help Ukraine. If you have some issue about how Ukrainian refugees are really privileged white people or we only want to help them because they are, save it until at least the worst atrocities are over. Otherwise don’t be surprised if people think you’re a Russian bot.

To be honest I don’t think it’s true that it’s racism anyway- we were utterly disinterested in refugees from the former Yugoslavia despite them being white folks.[/quote]
This