Community Perceptions of the Framing of Kampung Texas, Bandar Lampung

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the perceptions of the surrounding community toward the framing of Kampung Texas in Bandar Lampung, an area that has long been associated with negative social stigma, such as crime, brawls, and begging activities. It also seeks to understand how changes in the social conditions of the area are interpreted by the community amid the persistent historical framing attached to the area.

Method: This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach through field research. Data were collected through structured interviews, non-participant observation, and documentation. Informants were selected using purposive sampling and consisted of eight individuals, including one neighborhood association (RT) head, two residents of Kampung Texas, and five members of the surrounding community.

Findings: The results show that community perceptions of Kampung Texas are shaped by direct experiences and social narratives that have developed within the surrounding environment. The historical framing that has long been associated with the area continues to influence how people perceive it, despite improvements in the social conditions of Kampung Texas. Individuals with a higher level of interaction with the area tend to have more positive perceptions that are more consistent with its current conditions, whereas those with limited interaction continue to maintain negative stereotypes. These findings indicate that social framing embedded in the collective memory of the community tends to persist even when social realities have undergone transformation.