Findings of surveys conducted among Serb and Albanian population
indicate that each of the two communities hold its own people in
high esteem and that both of them have identically negative stands
and stereotypes about the other. This phenomenon is known as "the
mirror image phenomenon."
Some questions and comments by students:
1. All democratic states are threats to humanity.
2. Do you believe there would be no more conflicts
in democratic societies one fine day?
3. Do you think a human being is basically a
violent creature?
"We and Them; Group (Ethnic) Conflicts and
Pacification Procedures" (Lecturer: Tamara Tomasevic)
What is identity? What is it that determines us?
Should, say, a "demon" let you keep just one of our identities and
take away the rest, what identity would you keep? Would it be your
professionalism, parenthood, familial ties, ethnic origin, religion
or education? It's hard to choose only one trait determining your
person because, as human beings, we are characterized by many
identities. What is it other people would not let us do or be? Is it
possible to deny one his or her gender or origin or religion that
differs from others? Can others deny you the language you speak that
differs from theirs?
What is discrimination and what are its origins?
Discrimination stands for a departure from norms a society sees
either as welcome or unwelcome. Bias and stereotypes about others
give rise to discrimination. Discrimination can lead to social
problems that are by far more serious than exclusion of an
individual departing from mainstream behavior or norms. Gossip about
a group of people or an individual is the first stage of a conflict.
Then comes this group's or individual's exclusion or avoidance.
Discrimination on the grounds of which a group or an individual are
deprived of some rights in the next stage that leads towards a
conflict between "them and us." In its most brutal form a conflict
leads to genocide. |
