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

[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

Simply, wars in Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen are quite far away and these conflicts have been going on for years and even decades. I think we have tremendous sympathy when we see people suffering, especially children. If there's a conflict in a distant country with a very different culture and religion, it's hard to think what we can do practically to help. This war is on our continent so we can donate goods, fundraise, offer shelter to refugees, lobby our MPs etc. What can we do practically about Yemen?

If a house on your street was on fire right now, would you pay more attention to it than an old burnt out house on the other side on your hometown?

Last night I saw a video of a Ukrainian girl holding onto her Peppa Pig toy whilst arriving in Poland. My DD loves Peppa Pig so it hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm sure if we had to flee Peppa would be one of the few things I'd let her bring with us. When I see the mums and their children fleeing I see myself and my children.

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?!

Which media do you consume? Just putting 'Palestine + BBC' or 'Syria + Channel 4' returns countless articles/stories on just these two conflicts including ones from this year. We were involved in two wars that lasted years and were constantly covered by the media. The sudden US final withdrawal from Afghanistan was a massive, long running news story last year covered by all major channels.

[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]
Not at all. It's a good time for people to reflect on how they feel about refugees in general and why they feel that some are more deserving of compassion and help than others.

I don't think anyone would think "I didn't do anything to support Syrians fleeing civil war so let me ignore the poor Ukrainians as well". The hope is that people will show more compassion to other (non white) refugees as well as to Ukrainians.

"All lives matter" is completely different as it trivialises or denies that people of colour face issues that white people don't. The purpose of saying it is to trivialise the issue

This (thread) just points out the discrepancy between how refugees of different regions are viewed and questions why.

@Cheshirecatwoman

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

I haven't said that anywhere?? I am literally asking you what is this cultural similarity that's constantly being mentioned in relation to Ukraine? English culture is not my culture so what is this cultural similarity that is constantly being mentioned by people on this thread?*
*

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!

Now you're just putting words into my mouth. That was another poster, not me...

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

To me, it doesn't matter how they got there. ALL of these countries are facing a war, one country has provoked more compassion/empathy and media attention than the other. Do the situations have to be exactly the same for people to care about innocent people dying?

It's been nice chatting to you but think I'll stop now as you're literally putting words into my mouth

@Tillsforthrills
It’s possible to know what’s happening in Ukraine is horrific while at the same time noticing how differently this war is being reported to all others in recent memory - the focus on the human cost, and every civilian death a tragedy. Which is how wars should be reported in my opinion. But to question why no other wars in recent memory have been reported like this.

@TeenyQueen

Simply, wars in Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen are quite far away and these conflicts have been going on for years and even decades. I think we have tremendous sympathy when we see people suffering, especially children. If there's a conflict in a distant country with a very different culture and religion, it's hard to think what we can do practically to help. This war is on our continent so we can donate goods, fundraise, offer shelter to refugees, lobby our MPs etc. What can we do practically about Yemen?

If a house on your street was on fire right now, would you pay more attention to it than an old burnt out house on the other side on your hometown?

Last night I saw a video of a Ukrainian girl holding onto her Peppa Pig toy whilst arriving in Poland. My DD loves Peppa Pig so it hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm sure if we had to flee Peppa would be one of the few things I'd let her bring with us. When I see the mums and their children fleeing I see myself and my children.

What could you do to help people in Yemen? You could not vote for a party that provides arms, staff and expertise to their aggressors.

@Cheshirecatwoman

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?

@Cheshirecatwoman Stop tryna make this a race thing man. People on this thread have LITERALLY said there's more empathy/interest/compassion when someone that looks like you is going through something. Many posters have said it may not be right but it's kind of a natural thing. So why you acting like I just started talking about race out of my arse. Seriously have a good evening

I wonder if it's all this 'similarity' that essentially made the UK vote for Brexit ostensibly distancing themselves from their fellow white Europeans. People can try and dress it up however they like but the difference in treatment is down to racism.

Not RTT sure it’s been said before.
Ukraine is a settled civilised democracy that’s been invaded.

Not a civil war, or some countries military gone bonkers. And the young men of Ukraine are staying to fight it out. I’d take women and children from anywhere if any colour.

@RobinBlackbird - Russian bots and agents are well capable of using Al Jazera.

Let’s all ask ourselves -is our response to the horrors in Ukraine really to hand wring about whether we helped others equally before helping them. Help them first.

Nuclear weapons

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.

What form does that empathy take? Do you write about it all across the Internet so that everyone knows just how empathetic you are? I mean I hear about things on the news and I thing oh how terrible but I don't broadcast my thoughts everywhere nor do I spend much time dwelling on the things I can't change.
I have troubles that people in Ukraine would probs love to have right now but they still play on my mind more because I have to actively try and figure out how I'm supposed to afford to heat my home, I have to pay an extortionate amount for a second hand car because the market is bonkers, petrol is almost and is in some places 2e a litre, I have to find counseling for my teenager but the health system is in bits and on and on it goes.

What good does me being performatively empathetic about all of the wars around the world, about climate change, about every bloody shit show thing that is happening in the world do? I donate where I can, do my bits for climate change but I'm not standing around weeping for the worlds struggles and I'm sick of all of these posts telling us that we have to care about every single person all over the world all at the same time or we are somehow defective.

[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]
@Villagewaspbyke seeing as I'm black that definitely isn't the case. I've done and will continue doing what I can to help victims in Ukraine, I don't need to shout it from the rooftops. That doesn't mean I can't say 'okay I can see this is happening but why aren't people feeling the same way about the same thing happening here??'

The funny thing is I never even started talking about refugees, I've only done it in response to other people but fair enough

[quote Tillsforthrills]@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.[/quote]
@Tillsforthrills

I’m glad to hear that.

The thread made me uncomfortable too as it felt as though it was pitching us all against each other when despite being racially diverse in the uk, we all (mostly!) share the same values.

I’ve felt the same as you op about the Ukrainian refugee situation; it does seem so unfair. When I went to see Encanto at the cinema, I cried when they were essentially migrants at the beginning, as all I could think about were the lives lost in the channel. I also think the way we left people to the hands of the Taliban in Afghanistan is a complete stain on the West.

However, people have raised good points. We fear Putin and his nukes; we also fear some Muslims coming over as they can be associatied with terrorism. We fear this is the beginning of world war 3 against somebody who is actually a massive threat to us. It’s all encroaching upon our doorstep. I do agree with the women and children comments but understand that some journeys are too dangerous for women to make. However, it does get to me just seeing the men. I guess a more cynical person may question their motives.

However, have I personally felt any deeper emotion for Ukrainian children than children from around the world? Not in the slightest. In fact, I feel less concerned for them as a lot of help is going their way, as opposed to the migrants stuck being raped in appalling conditions in the camps just over yonder.

[quote supermoonrising]@Tillsforthrills
It’s possible to know what’s happening in Ukraine is horrific while at the same time noticing how differently this war is being reported to all others in recent memory - the focus on the human cost, and every civilian death a tragedy. Which is how wars should be reported in my opinion. But to question why no other wars in recent memory have been reported like this.[/quote]
Thank you this has been worded much better than what I've tried to do. This is essentially it!

@VladmirsPoutine - what explains the difference with the refugees from the former Yugoslavia then?

Anyway I think it’s pointless to engage with those who have no compassion. Please everyone help refugees including Ukrainians who are currently in desperate need.

I’ll just add that I have been very moved by what is going on. It’s extremely sad. My point is that I’ve also cared greatly about other similar situations and I can see the stark contrast in the reporting and people’s reactions.

The thread made me uncomfortable too as it felt as though it was pitching us all against each other when despite being racially diverse in the uk, we all (mostly!) share the same values.

Ha what UK is this you speak of?

@babyhaha No you definitely did start talking about Ukrainian refugees- you started a thread on mumsnet about it.

If you really do want to help them you will stop attacking those who want to help them.

Many people crossing the Channel turned out to be economic migrants. Ukrainians are escaping war. Whatever the motives for coming to the UK, this is a small overcrowded island with finite resources. If we were more strict initially about who we took in, we may have had more resources for those fleeing persecution and war.

how do you know these people aren't fleeing war torn countries though? Why do you get the impression that they're just here for a better life?

Because France isn't a war torn country.

@babyhaha this thread makes me uncomfortable as it is trying to take away assistance from those who desperately need it.