Ethnic Intolerance in the New Destination: Migrants’ Coping Strategies in Hostile Environments

• In Event: 549 - Section on International Migration Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 01. Xenophobia and Racialization

Abstract

Two last decades were characterised by the diversification of migrant settlement areas. In the US there has been an increased interest towards areas described as new destinations (Massey and Hirshman, 2008). In the UK Stenning and Dawley (2009) recorded migration of EU labour migrants to peripheral areas, the parts of the UK which would not attract migrants in the past. Robinson et al. (2003) pointed to UK dispersal policy of forced migrants as primary cause for non EU migrant settlement in those areas. Both UK and US-based studies highlighted a particular problem: in the areas unaccustomed to ethnic diversity and immigrant inflows, migrants had to confront various forms of ethnically-motivated hostility. Based on the findings from a completed doctoral research, I explore the changing dynamics of ethnic intolerance in a medium-sized town in the UK (Northtown). The qualitative data is based on semi-structured and focus group interviews conducted with EU labour migrants, dispersed non EU migrants, and British participants representing local statutory and voluntary agencies. The discussion covers the following areas: migrants’ encounters of ethnic intolerance, responses from voluntary and statutory agencies and the dynamics of change. The interpretations suggest that although migrants of different nationalities have had to deal with hostility in everyday life, over-time the relations between migrants and locals have improved. Instead of being seen as an inherently racist enclave, Northtown is seen as a place in which locals are gradually accepting ethnic diversity and adapting more tolerant attitudes towards migrant newcomers.

Author

• Zinovijus Ciupijus, University of Leeds