In today's world, the media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and perception. It has become a powerful tool for propagating ideas and influencing people's behavior. One area where the media is particularly effective is when it comes to creating fear and anxiety among citizens. States use this technique to mobilize their population against perceived external threats. This paper seeks to explore how states create narratives that portray foreigners as enemies using sexualized images.
The state uses different techniques to construct narratives about external threats such as terrorists and immigrants. One common way is through the use of sexualized imagery. The state presents these individuals as dangerous and untrustworthy due to their sexual orientation or race.
During World War II, Nazi Germany used homosexuals to justify its policies towards Jews. They called them "degenerate" and portrayed them as a threat to German society. Similarly, the United States used the same rhetoric to justify its intervention in Vietnam. The government portrayed communists as homosexual deviants who needed to be eliminated. In both cases, the state constructed an enemy based on sexuality.
Another method is by linking sex with violence. States often associate foreigners with violence and aggression. They do this by presenting them as rapists, murderers, or criminals. During the Cold War, the US government portrayed Soviets as a communist menace that posed a grave threat to American values. These ideas were reinforced through films like "Red Dawn," which showed Soviet soldiers invading America and engaging in sexual violence. In this case, the state created an enemy based on gender-based violence.
States have been using sexualized images to create fear among citizens. They link foreigners with violence, sexuality, and criminal behavior to mobilize support for military action. This approach has been effective in creating a sense of urgency among citizens and justifying aggressive policies.
It also creates false perceptions about other cultures and promotes intolerance. It is essential to understand how states use this technique to avoid being manipulated into supporting actions we may later regret.
How do states mobilize sexualized images of danger to construct narratives about external threats?
States often mobilize sexualized images of danger to create narratives about external threats by using stereotypes, prejudices, and misinformation that demonizes certain groups as dangerous and threatening to society, thereby justifying their repression and exploitation. This strategy is often used to rally public support for policies and practices that serve the interests of those in power at the expense of marginalized communities.