Image retrieved from: http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2014/05/04/1226905/050906-1d75a2fe-d1ce-11e3-8e96-6a6704b39a47.jpg
Whether we are users or not, it is common knowledge that social media websites enables us to stay connected with distant relatives and/or friends. Yet, there are more capabilities these networks posses than some of us care to realise or give credit to. Instagram—and other social networks—are an essential aspect in the way we shape our identity. In fact, social media actually helps in maintaining some of the narratives and symbols which shape the self and community identity, particularly those in diasporas.
I’m confident most of us have heard about, or perhaps, are following the news about the Syrian refugees. As Bourke (2015) reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, Syrians have fled their homeland in search of security due to the bombing said to take place within the coming week. This community of migrants, and others alike, are commonly categorised as diaspora. As defined by Kuttainen (2015), the term ‘diaspora’ refers to the displacement or removal of people from their homeland to “two or more peripheral regions”. These complex ‘people networks’ are established between those of migrant origin through several internal features: the feeling of sharing common origin, the feeling of belonging, and the preservation of memories and history of the homeland (Ma Mung, 2005). Whether their connections within this community are real or supposed, such networks empower people in enabling them to maintain their idea of self and cultural identity, as well as creating a collective identity of ethnic nature. In his reading, Ma Mung (2005) describes the four main criteria which form a diaspora: “existence of ethnic community, attachment to territory, consciousness of shared identity, and a situation of exile”. Additionally, he also states the sentimental and material connection diaspora maintain with their land of origin.
In the past week or so, we have looked at how Instagram allows us to publish our self-narrative and demonstrate our identity. While we tend to view them as such, members of diasporic communities aren’t any different to us, and this can be seen in the way they use social media. Like Kuttainen (2015) stated, “diasporic identities and histories are made and maintained through narrative, myth, [and] community memorialising”. Instagram allows diasporic communities to contact family or friends from their homeland, and enable them to publish their self-narrative and maintain their cultural identity.
References
Kuttainen, V. (2015). BA1002 Our Space: Networks, narratives, and the making of place. Lecture 7: People Networks. Retrieved from: https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
Ma Mung, E. (2005). Comparative European research in migration, diversity and identities. Bilbao, Spain: University of Deusto.
Image credits
Sudanese refugee children press up against a fence in Djabal refugee camp. [Image]. (2015). Retrieved from: http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2014/05/04/1226905/050906-1d75a2fe-d1ce-11e3-8e96-6a6704b39a47.jpg
Shae, I enjoyed reading the interesting insights you put forth in your blog. A particular point that I found interesting is how Instagram enables people to publish their diasporic identities through self-narrative and maintain their cultural identity. This point relates to concept of communication as narrative; diasporic identities and histories are made and maintained through narrative (Kuttainen, 2015). Users of Instagram are able to maintain their cultural identity by utilising the social media platform as a form of self-narrative. What makes social media different than a personal self-narrative is that other users can share, comment and like the narrative. In terms of diasporic communities, users can have their cultural identity confirmed and reiterated by members of the home country. When utilising social networking sites no amount of physical space can stop a diasporic community from maintaining bonds with communities in the home country.
ReplyDeleteReference:
Kuttainen, V. (2015). BA1002: Our space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, week 7 notes [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu/jcu.edu.au