Chapter 6 : Race and ethnicity

Abstract

In the everyday language of contemporary Malta, it is not unusual to hear reference to the presence of sub-Saharan Africans and Arabs in the country as having a, "kultura wisq differenti minn taglina" (a culture too different from ours). Such a statement tends to imply a perceived cultural difference and hence, ethnic distinctions. Recently, I witnessed another statement during an information session delivered by a public official who was of the opinion that black "illegal" migrants share apartments "because in their country", he said, "hekk imdorrijin jgliixu, bliala tribu" (that's how they are used to living, in a tribe). Apart from being less politically correct by describing the migrants as "illegal" instead of "irregular", his words are only one of many other examples where, "abstractions about the Orient are always preferable to direct evidence" (Said, 1995, p. 300). It may be true that irregular migrants make full use of their living space, but this is usually due to their financial restrictions and not because of any tribal affiliations. Holding a refugee or subsidiary protection status, means that one may need to look for the best means of survival and so, sharing apartments may simply be a matter of convenience or more so, another source of income by sub-renting.