Anti-Social Networking
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Chris Allen – University of Derby 16th November 2012
Anti-social networking: Facebook as site & method for
researching anti-Muslim and anti-Islam opposition
Islamophobia & Anti-Muslim Hate
Case study on Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred in West
Midlands
Part of wider project for European Muslim Research Centre,
University of Exeter
Allen in Githens-Mazer & Lambert (2010)
“No Solihull Mosque” Facebook Group
“Even if they did build a dirty mosque we would just throw pigs
guts at it!!!”
“These bastards will not go away and until we kick them all out
and send them back to their own countries we will have to
continue fighting this war. But every time a Muslim blows
himself up or abuses a white person or tries to take over a
neighbourhood we gain more supporters. Time is actually on
our side and all of Europe is itching to kick these useless
perverts out of Europe. I do not know one person who wants
Muslims in Europe”
1,600+ members, 1,000+ messages posted in a fortnight
Allen (2010)
Social Media & Facebook
Back et al’s (2010) unlike other forms of social media,
Facebook users tend to have profiles which reflect the
individual named
Markham & Baym’s (2009) notes the shifting nature of the
private and public:
“[social media highlights] the willingness of private citizens to
bare the most personal and private elements of their lives to
mass audiences” (p.xi)
About the Project
Recognition that social media – in this instance, Facebook –
had potential both as a site for research as indeed research
method also
Interested in social movements and the similarities/ differences
between ‘real’ and ‘virtual’ spaces
Employ Weberian theoretical framework to explore how groups
and networks function in the virtual spaces (Chesters & Welsh
2006, Hindman 2008, and Salter 2003)
Engage Facebook group members using online methods only
Improve knowledge about social media and digital
methodologies
Methodological Approach
Identified Facebook Groups opposing the Dudley mosque
Joined largest group: “Stop Dudley Super Mosque & Islamic
Village” (19,000+ members)
Overt approach: used personal Facebook profile
Ethics: posted a statement on joining to set out my intentions
Methodological Approach
Posted a statement on the group’s wall inviting members to
discuss their opposition to the mosque
Just a few responded, most appeared reluctant to engage
using ‘direct messages’ or emails
Apparent contradiction between willingness to post explicit
messages on the group’s wall yet seemingly unwilling to
convey similar via direct or more specific forms of
communication
Methodological Approach
Consideration of whether ‘direct’ approaches might, in the
context of Facebook, be seen to constitute ‘face-to-face
contact’
As Lee (2000) notes, ‘face-to-face’ methods can result in
participants being less likely to engage and decidedly less open
Back et al’s (2010) note need to close the gap between actual
and self-idealised personalities on Facebook
New approach to reinstate critical distance
Offer anonymity to afford greater protection (Lee, 2000)
Methodological Approach
Direct messaged 50 most active/ most recent wall posters
Direct messaged them with a link to ‘online interview’ included
‘open’ and ‘closed’ questions
10 questions
3 quantitative: gender, age, location
7 qualitative: to explore reasons for opposing the mosque,
about the situation in Dudley, handling of the affair (DMA,
DMC, others), impact on local communities/ cohesion
Questions about demography, reasons for opposing
Methodological Approach
Total of 65 interviews completed
Snowballing
All interviews were of a reasonable standard, most were good
with some excellent
Extensive use of ‘text-speak’
Wide range of different views and arguments put forward
Thematic analysis undertaken
Male 61%
Female 39%
Gender
Under 18 11%
19-25 25%
26-40 34%
41-60 25%
Over 60 5%
Age
Dudley town 36%
Dudley surrounds
25% Black Country
11%
Birmingham 2%
West Midlands 3% Elsewhere
23%
Location
Themes: Planning & Location
“I am opposed to the proposed building being constructed on the site at
Hall St as the site was designated as industrial land for the creation of
jobs. A mosque does not fit the criteria and was rightly (in my opinion)
refused planning permission based on planning rules. It does not help
when the DMA say they will press on with the plans apparently with no
thought for anyones legitimate objections”
“Because the land it will be built on was originally earmarked to provide
jobs in the local community for all. An urban regeneration project. The
mosque will do absolutely nothing to help integration in the area and
will become a symbol of the already festering resentment that ethnic
groups are treated more "fairly" than the indigenous population”
Themes: Heritage
“because they've got enough and it will ruin the heritage of
Dudley”
“Is does not go with the heritage of dudley it will dominate the
towns picturesque skyline…”
“…Dudley is in the Black Country, known for the Black Country
museum and it's history, also the Zoo and Castle. In years to
come it will be known for this proposed mosque. It was thought
to be planned to be higher than 'Top Church', is this a
statement?”
Themes: Islam/Muslims as ‘Problem’
“Mosques are places of hate where Muslims can be
brainwashed into serving "their" lord”
“...a lot of very violent actions are promoted by the muslim
community, this worries me about their intentions...these look out
posts ( i know what they say they are) i've noticed increased
security and design of the buildings seem more fortified castles
than spiritual houses...”
“According to reports in the media, mosques currently in
existence would appear to be hotbeds of extremism...media
reports have produced what would seem to be conclusive proof
that a great deal of what is preached by the Imams is filled with
hate and incitement to cause harm”
Themes: Islamification
“islam is taking over britain. british people are becoming second
class citizens in their own community”
“…the islamification of these shores is not acceptable!! No to
sharia law”
“because this is england we let them in without a problem let
them live english lives seing as they are in england and then
they try and turn it into a muslim islamic place and that isnt the
worst part the worst is that after that and when thhe numbers
grow they will attempt to overtake the country and win the
general election due to numbers and then imply sharia law and
i dont care to see that happen to my country”
Themes: Islamophobia & Racism
“Because Dudley use to belong to us white people not
foreigners”
“as an edl member i feal that the peeps off dudley av just been
ignord thats y we the edl do wot as to be done”
“Because it mean more paki's will communte into the dudley
area, thus creating a curry infested atmosphere and I for one
despise the cunts”
Themes: Lack of ‘voice’
“Because the majority of people in Dudley don't want it but their
protests fall on deaf ears!”
“because the local community opposed it, but as per usual no
one listens”
“because i support the people of dudley who are clearly against
it, and the council who also turned down the proposal, until
intervention from the gorvernment who care nothing for the
people of dudley”
Concluding Thoughts: Social Action
Facebook and social media will be increasingly seen as a site
where individuals are able to engage with other individuals with
shared interests
Gurak & Logie (2003) put it:
“the highly specialised virtual spaces on the internet make it
easy to join a community and quickly understand and assume
this community ethos...often, participants do not have to spend
time making introductory remarks or defending the premises of
their statements. This 'instant ethos' makes it easy to reach
many individuals of similar values" (p.31)
Concluding Thoughts: Social Action
Perceived lack of opportunities to engage and find a voice in
the ‘real spaces’
Online spaces provide greater and more immediate
opportunities to find a voice and have that voice duly valorised
Social action ‘virtual’ spaces reflects that in the ‘real’ spaces:
coming together of individuals with a shared interest with which
to act
Individual subjectivities are lessened in ‘virtual’ spaces given
the lack of any need to introduce or justify
Concluding Thoughts: Digital Methods
Social media and networking sites offer a wide range of new and
exciting possibilities for research, both as a method but so too as
a site also
New range of tools and approaches that present opportunities
albeit with the need for further exploration
Suggestion that such methods are fast, efficient and extremely
cost-effective
Findings suggest that digital methods and approaches reflect
‘real’ research problems
Issues of distance and positionality affected by shifting
boundaries of the public and private
@DrChrisAllen
Chris Allen
www.chris-allen.co.uk
c.allen.2@bham.ac.uk
07940 537691
about.me/drchrisallen
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