Immigrant Violence: Instances of Immigrants Resorting to Cannibalism Among Their Own
In a thought-provoking article titled "How digital shame cycles, virtue signaling, and xenophobic mimicry are eroding the very communities we came here to be a part of", the author sheds light on the detrimental effects of digital social dynamics on community cohesion, particularly in contexts involving cultural integration or expatriates in Mexico.
The article argues that incidents of cruelty, harassment, and mob justice, often followed by a storm of vile, dehumanizing comments and calls for deportation on social media, are eroding the sense of belonging for immigrants and expats trying to engage with local communities. This behaviour, the author contends, normalizes xenophobic scripts and reinforces the harmful narrative that foreigners are a problem population to be policed, shamed, and expelled.
The author also warns against participating in public witch hunts, as it only makes the mob stronger and sends the message to every other nationality that open season on foreigners is permissible. Public shaming, the author argues, disregards due process, violates Mexican law protecting dignity, privacy, and civil rights, and can endanger someone's safety and potentially lead to legal trouble.
Moreover, the article discusses how social media algorithms are amplifying "foreigners behaving badly" content, creating a perception that foreigners are a problematic group. This, the author suggests, is ineffective in changing behaviour and often escalates anger, defensiveness, and conflict.
The author calls for responsible behaviour, reporting lawbreaking to the proper authorities, setting community guidelines with input from locals and immigrants alike, and promoting shared norms and mutual respect. They also emphasize the importance of education, dialogue, and connection in fostering a community known for kindness, accountability, and cultural humility, rather than humiliation and indignity.
Examples of incidents making national news and going viral on local social media include "Moto Man", "Pee-in-the-Park Tourist", and "The Barefoot Gringa". The author critiques the hypocrisy of condemning bad manners while responding with hate speech, bullying, incivility, and vitriol. Chasing clickbait and sensationalism at the expense of someone's health and well-being is exploitation, not community consciousness.
In conclusion, the author asserts that bad behaviour isn't a nationality problem, but a human problem. Online pile-ons hurt the people in the videos, damage the social fabric, make us afraid of one another, and breed suspicion instead of solidarity. True leadership, the author suggests, means educating, de-escalating, and leading by example, not engaging in public shaming and indignity.
- The author of the article argues that social media's amplification of "foreigners behaving badly" content can negatively influence the perception of expats and immigrants in Mexico, tying it to the broader discussion of relationships within communities.
- In the discourse of politics and general news, public shaming on social media, as discussed in the article, not only disregards due process but also perpetuates a divisive narrative that foreigners are a problematic group, harming the resilience of relationships between immigrants and locals.
- The author's proposal for a cohesive community includes promoting entertainment and shared norms based on mutual respect, advocating against online shaming, and encouraging education and dialogue, demonstrating the connection between lifestyle, social-media dynamics, and community integration.
