Narrative dissonances, the good and the bad savage.

Moroccan and West African youth on the move to Europe

Abstract

This article delves into the discourses formulated around the ways of being, existing and living as a young African moving towards Europe. Based on a multi-sited ethnography in Morocco, Spain, and France, I analyse the differential narratives produced by institutions, Third Sector entities and groups that are configured around these young Africans. In particular, I point out the distinction that these organizations make between Moroccan children and those from West Africa, despite the fact that both are legally equal, categorized under the figure of MENA, in Spain, MNA, in France. On the one hand, young Moroccans, [self] called harraga, are read as unsubmissive and ungrateful people. On the other hand, young people from countries such as Mali, Guinea Conakry or the Ivory Coast are better received users within the different humanitarian aid agencies. The symbolic distinction between the two groups based on the speeches of these organizations is due to the type of relationship these young people have with professionals and humanitarian aid entities and, in this sense, to the need they have to receive their help. While young Moroccans are part of a large international diaspora that supports them, those from West African countries are on longer and more discriminatory trajectories. In this sense, there is differential access to non-institutional resources, based on support networks and peasants, between one group and another. With all this, I conclude that both narratives are colonial, anti-migratory and adult-centered, and have a negative impact on the trajectories of these young people, who, at no time, can control their own representation.

KEY WORDS: Youth on the move, Morocco, West Africa, discourses, colonialism.