What is it about?

We analyzed the feelings and perceptions of people of Moroccan origin about their situation in Spain, their interactions with Spaniards, the way they believe Moroccans are viewed, and their perceived discrimination to understand their affective reactions to injustice.

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Why is it important?

“Mommy, why don’t they trust us? What’s wrong with us?” These are the questions asked by the daughter of one of our participants, as she tells us when talking about her experiences living in Spain. The findings revealed positive but also negative experiences suggesting that people of Moroccan heritage living in southern Spain face discrimination and feel dehumanized by Spaniards (seen as machines and treated like animals). Compared to men, women reported more experiences of discrimination due to religion, especially related to wearing the veil, and felt more angry about the situation of Moroccan migrants in the country. This awareness of collective grievances may have negative consequences on their well-being, but it may also be functional for promoting social change, and women, with their high awareness, may have an agentic role in such a process.

Perspectives

I believe this work is sensitive to the problems of a highly stigmatized community in Europe and gives voice to men and women of Moroccan origin. Through their experiences, perceptions, and emotions, we can better understand their reality and be aware of their challenges. The findings reflect the complexity of intergroup relations in a multicultural context and open up a reflection on the possibilities of a collective approach to social change and the possible prominent role of Moroccan-origin women in this process due to their high awareness.

LUCIA LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ
Universidad de Almeria

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This page is a summary of: Voices and experiences of Moroccan-heritage women and men in Spain: Understanding affective reactions to injustice through mixed-methods., Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, September 2024, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/cdp0000710.
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