Racism and discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences of Turkish migrant women in the Netherlands

Abstract

As observed in numerous historical crisis scenarios, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated unfavorable perceptions of ‘foreigners’ and ‘migrants’ in the Netherlands. The construct of a ‘foreigner’ has been socially fashioned as a label that distinguishes what is dissimilar from the norm, and within the context of the COVID-19 crisis, the concept of the “other” has gained prominence. Building upon this central premise, the present study aims to probe into the occurrence of racism and discrimination directed at Turkish migrant women in the Netherlands, a nation often characterized as progressive and liberal, with an intersectional approach. Considering the increased awareness surrounding Dutch colonial history, exemplified by events like the Black Lives Matter protests, the research also delves into whether migrant women draw connections between their experiences of racism and the historical Dutch colonial past. How have migrant women experienced and reacted to racism during the pandemic? Does the encounter with racism and discrimination prompt an intensified identification with or detachment from their migrant identities? To unravel answers to these inquiries, the article draws from semi-structured interviews with fifteen migrant women alongside a non-governmental representative, an artist, and an activist in the Netherlands. Through the personal narratives of these women, this article illuminates the ongoing discussions surrounding racism and discrimination within the broader discursive landscape of the Netherlands during the pandemic.