American Media Portrayals of the Uighur Minority Pre and Post 9/11

Authors

Anna File, Illinois Wesleyan University

Abstract

The Muslim Uighur ethnic minority in China has long been repressed by the Chinese Central Government in a way not dissimilar from the Tibetan ethnic minority. While policy decisions, assimilation projects, and systematic restriction of freedoms support this claim, Americans with interest in the area have a more complex relationship with opinion on Uighurs. Americans have a history of supporting restive groups within Communist systems, but post 9/11 there has been a backlash against those groups that also can be identified as Muslim fundamentalists. Through observing American newspaper sources it is expected that a shift will be seen in the tone of articles related to Uighurs post 9/11.

Recommended Citation

File, Anna (2009) "American Media Portrayals of the Uighur Minority Pre and Post 9/11," Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 14
Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol14/iss1/13