Citation

Hirvonen K. Race Class 2013; 55(1): 78-86.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Institute of Race Relations, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306396813486604

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The author, who worked at the Swedish Vallentuna centre for unaccompanied minors, was shocked by the anti-foreigner climate she encountered. In order to examine the parameters of this hostility, she researched representations of unaccompanied minors online. Working within the framework of netnography, she uncovered a potent mix of Islamophobia and anti-foreigner hate, with unaccompanied minors depicted within a Eurabian mindset. The article reflects on the relationship between offline and online worlds and suggests that extremist sites provide echo chambers for far-right opinion. By normalising extreme views, they serve to deliver more votes to the Sweden Democrats - an extreme-right parliamentary party which is setting the national terms of debate on restricting immigration.

Language: en