Episodic Framing of Indigenous Protest: An Analysis of the Othering of the Minga’s Involvement in Colombia’s Paro Nacional of 2021

Indigenous Peoples have been historically Othered in society but also through the use of the media. This phenomenon is based on historic asymmetries of power that are still present in the modern day. One contemporary example of this is that of the participation of Indigenous Peoples in Colombia, in particular the Minga, during the protests in 2021 known as the Paro Nacional. Though this period had a wide participation of vast groups of society protesting (students, feminist groups, workers unions, and other marginalised groups), the way the Minga was covered in the media was distinct in highlighting the danger they posed compared to these other groups. Thus, this research focuses on answering why were the Indigenous grouping (the Minga) portrayed as dangerous when they protested in the Paro Nacional of 2021? The central argument proposed is that this is due to the media’s power alongside the government in wanting to maintain the colonial subjectivities of Indigenous people that were...Show moreIndigenous Peoples have been historically Othered in society but also through the use of the media. This phenomenon is based on historic asymmetries of power that are still present in the modern day. One contemporary example of this is that of the participation of Indigenous Peoples in Colombia, in particular the Minga, during the protests in 2021 known as the Paro Nacional. Though this period had a wide participation of vast groups of society protesting (students, feminist groups, workers unions, and other marginalised groups), the way the Minga was covered in the media was distinct in highlighting the danger they posed compared to these other groups. Thus, this research focuses on answering why were the Indigenous grouping (the Minga) portrayed as dangerous when they protested in the Paro Nacional of 2021? The central argument proposed is that this is due to the media’s power alongside the government in wanting to maintain the colonial subjectivities of Indigenous people that were posing a threat to social order during these unusually disruptive protests. To do so the research uses a multidisciplinary methodology of historical primary source analysis and frame analysis, from the cultural studies discipline, to shed light on the Othering narratives present in the chosen sources in the Colombian media during the Paro Nacional of 2021. This research not only proves important for the local Colombian context but is also relevant globally as the Othering of minorities through the media can limit the effectiveness of social justice anywhere.Show less

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Episodic Framing of Indigenous Protest: An Analysis of the Othering of the Minga’s Involvement in Colombia’s Paro Nacional of 2021