Ep 15: Nationalism, sexism, border guards. With Maryla Klajn (English).

De Verbranders

We talk to Maryla about her research on how Polish border guards use their discretionary power, or the wiggle room they have as they implement the law. Maryla worked with polish border guards for half a year, first at one of the regional headquarters and then at three different outposts, where she went on ride-alongs to see for herself how border guards carry out their work on the ground. She describes the nationalist and blatantly racist and sexist ways in which border guards talk about their work and people on the move, and the violence that they deploy when they stop and check people for their documents, take them to the station, and deport them. She also describes the nationalist and sexist ways in which she herself was addressed by some of these border guards, and how being in this violent context impacted her then and now. To us, Maryla’s descriptions show that violence is not only the result of how migration laws are implemented, but actually inherent to these laws, and specifically the distinction that they make between people who have a right to move and stay and those who have not. lllustrations by B. Carrot, i.a. from Alle Dagen Ui, published by Soul Food Comics. For more of B. Carrot see www.instagram.com/bcarrotdraws and www.bcarrot.nl Graphic design by Thomas from Dark Roast (www.instagram.com/thomas.darkroast) Theme music: David (guitar) and Joris (drums) Theme music: Allen (accordion)and Neske (violin), after Doina from the Fanfare Ciocarlia