Master+Journal!



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__Politics of separation__ //**   Politics of Separation can be defined as a power struggle between different elements of society, such as real estate developers, environmental activists, settler associations, and religious organizations to control oppressed minority groups by physically and/or psychologically separating them from the whole. It is an application of disciplinary and control societies, borrowing elements from both in order to create a hybrid society.

Politics of Separation is discussed and exemplified by Eyal Weizman in his book "Hollow Land" through the construction of the Wall to separate Jewish settlements from Palestinian towns in Israel. The Wall itself is a physical example of the politics of separation because the dominant power (the Israelis) are attempting break up the minority (the Palestinians) into a series of smaller minorities. This separation forms archipelago islands of Palestinian towns amidst a sea of Israeli land, with the roads between these secluded towns heavily monitored by Israeli forces. Such separation prevents the oppressed from forming a critical mass to spur an uprising similar to that of the rebellion spurred by the Algerians in the film “Battle of Algiers”. The film “Slingshot Hip Hop” provides a real life example of how Israel tries to keep the Palestinians separated from one another in order to prevent any insurrection. In the film, three rap groups from three different Palestinian towns must travel 14 hours through various checkpoints around the Wall for a trip that should have lasted only an hour or two.

The Wall is not simply a physical divided between Palestine and Israel, but a psychological barrier as well. It makes the oppressed group feel small and insignificant as the wall rises above them while instilling the fear of constant observation and the need for self-regulation by those watching above in the watchtowers. Similarily, the Panopticon forced prisoners to practice constant self surveillance because of the fear being watched by the central guard. The Wall also blocks communication and stands as a physical manifestation and reminder of the differences between the oppressor and the oppressed; for example, the “sterile” zone existing on both sides of the Wall prevents the citizens from going near the Wall. This gives the Wall power much like royalty who can only be seen but never approached, giving them the power of mystery and superiority. The Wall in Israel also attempts to serve more purposes, snaking in its elastic fashion to go around certain areas of interest to society (Weizman, 175). For example, important and profitable parts of society such as real-estate or archaeological discoveries are brought into Israel’s boundaries by fencing these areas in (Weizman, 169).The Wall is malleable in its symbolism of intangible borders between cultures, religions, and other human classifications. Just as Palestinian land is identical to Israeli land in its physical composition, Palestinians and Israelis are both fundamentally human. Both peoples are capable of adopting the same beliefs and practices but are congenitally divided and represented as distinct in essence. In order to establish these human-made and nonphysical distinctions, material structures are created to establish their existence.

The concept can be articulated with a selection of interesting words. A bantustan is the physical separation of minorities or oppressed people to isolated regions of the territory. In the context of apartheid, bantustans were areas assigned to South Africa's black inhabitants in the efforts to isolate them from other races - much like the isolation of Palestinians from Israelis. However, Weizman emphasizes that even during apartheid, the South African regime did not go as far as to erect physical boundaries like Israel’s Wall (171). Also, the term “sterile zone” refers to the space that prevents people from approaching the Wall. This can be compared to Foucault's Plague example and the way in which disciplinary societies quarantined the sick and dying by isolating them from the whole society.

Understanding this concept gives us insight into the workings of the world around us. In fact, this type of separation does not occur only in struggling countries but even here in Canada. Canada is considered the most multicultural and diverse country in the world; however, sections of our cities are notably distinguished by the name, architecture, and types of stores for different minority groups. Neighborhoods or districts, such as Chinatown or Little Italy, and other cultural concentrations serve as relics and reminders of our own past struggle with racism and separation. 

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