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| Retrieved from http://tr.egg-life.net/article/102626 |
“Diasporic identities are made and
maintained through narrative, myth, songs that map journeys from one place to
another…” (Van Luyn, 2015).
Two things are needed to characterise a diaspora,
a central pole of dispersal, and real or imagined links between migrating members of the group (Van
Luyn, 2015).
According to Ma Mung (2005), migrating groups
of people develop an identity around a shared origin. He explains the
past-orientated nature of this group identity, with the intention of preserving
the memory of the groups’ origins. This sense of shared identity sets the
various diasporas apart from mainstream society, dividing the political and
religious identities (among other forms of identity) of the diasporas from
society. The diasporas that form away from their home countries retain an
attachment to it, often defining themselves as members of that particular
nation (Greeks, Italians), or ethnic group (The Kurds).
So how has the advent of social media sites
impacted diasporas across the globe?
For many people forced to migrate due to
crises their home countries benefit from the use of social media, where they
are able to communicate with others in similar situations. These people are
able to form groups on social media where they share information with each
other. Such information may include the best locations for shelter and transport,
as well as how to find the best routes to their destination. The lives of those
who make it are also showcased to the wider world.
With the connections that can be facilitated
by social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, the people in these diasporas
that form from migration populations of people can retain contact with people
from their home countries much more easily. This dramatically changes the
dynamics between a diasporas and its homeland.
References:
Hendawi, H. (2015, September 10). For savvy migrants, social media helps ease trip to the west. Business insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/
Ma Mung, E. (2005). Diaspora, spatiality, identities. Bosswick, W,. Husband, C.(comp). Comparative European Research in Migration, diversity and identities (custom publication). pp. 33-46. Retrieved from http://www.deusto-publicaciones.es/ud/openaccess/hnet/pdfs_hnet/hnet14.pdf
Syrian boy using smartphone[image]. Retrieved from http://tr.egg-life.net/article/102626
Van Luyn, A. (2015). BA1002: Our Space: networks, narrative, and the making of place week 7 notes[powerpoint slides]. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
References:
Hendawi, H. (2015, September 10). For savvy migrants, social media helps ease trip to the west. Business insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/
Ma Mung, E. (2005). Diaspora, spatiality, identities. Bosswick, W,. Husband, C.(comp). Comparative European Research in Migration, diversity and identities (custom publication). pp. 33-46. Retrieved from http://www.deusto-publicaciones.es/ud/openaccess/hnet/pdfs_hnet/hnet14.pdf
Syrian boy using smartphone[image]. Retrieved from http://tr.egg-life.net/article/102626
Van Luyn, A. (2015). BA1002: Our Space: networks, narrative, and the making of place week 7 notes[powerpoint slides]. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
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ReplyDeleteCool Bog!
I agree with you and I think that with social media it creates a bridge on communication that keeps that relationship with the past and present life abundantly in touch. As mentioned by Kuttainen (2015) it is interesting how traditions, culture, and even some times food can be kept sacred generations later. Whether that is the household importance or not social media clearly demonstrates the many diverse opportunities for connection and obligation. An interesting view could also be by the connection of social media, does it give a sense of obligation to keep in touch and keep tradition? And how does that effect ones physical and virtual identity? Either way by studying Diaspora we are able to see some of its ramifications and hopefully we can begin to place that into the continuing puzzle of humans identities.
Reference:
Kuttainen, V. (2015). BA1002: Space: Networks, Narratives, and the making of place, week 7 notes[PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
Social networking sites allows diaspora communities to communicate and interact in a way that they previously couldn't, but I wonder about people that believe they share a common origin even if there is little evidence for it. Though no direct examples come to mind, things like the concept of an Aryan race, specifically the blonde, blue eyed and pale skin that is idealised by some groups, but the original Aryans were dark-skinned Indian or Middle-Eastern migrants that eventually spread through much of Europe.
ReplyDeleteSo are there diaspora groups that are connected through an imagined origin? At the very least it would be an interesting idea to examine, but would most likely only be able to be researched on older migrations, simply due to being able to look at the historical evidence.