A diaspora is defined by Ma Ming (2005,p.
33), as groups of people that have left their homeland but still consider it to
be there true home and as a result continue to uphold the traditions and
beliefs of their homeland. A diaspora is not contained to a single generation,
for example, a third generation Chinese- American may still consider themselves
more Chinese than American despite their family being their for over half a
century.
I was thinking that social media, more
specifically how Facebook could be used to help strengthen ones connection to a
diaspora. Using Facebook you can connect to virtually anybody around the world,
to talk and share information with. In a way Facebook can be used by a member
of a diaspora to keep in touch with their relatives in their family’s country
of origin. By doing so an individual can be reminded of and educated on their
cultural heritage.
Virtual networks can also be created in the
form of Facebook groups. Allowing members of a diaspora that are located in the
same community to communicate between each other and arrange events that are
relevant to their diaspora’s culture. This form of internal organization allows
diasporas to organize and celebrate their culture with not only those that
identify with the diaspora, but also those in the general community. This helps
keep their traditions and culture alive beyond a single generation.
Without communication and networks, members
of diasporas begin to forget about their ties to their homeland and their sense
of self and community shifts to that of the country that they live in. However
with Facebook and other forms of social media, members of a diaspora can help
maintain their sense of community away from their homeland and continue to
uphold the traditions and beliefs of their home country.
References
Ma Mung, E. (2005) Diasporas, Spatiality,
Identities. Comparative European Research
in Migration, Diversity and Identities. 33-48. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/Conc-camcontent-bb_bb60/items/getitem.jsp?as_course_code=12-BA1002-TSV-INT-SP2&content_id=_768747_1&course_id=_26169_1&doc_id=30256
Image Reference
Chinese Diaspora. Retrieved from http://s101.photobucket.com/user/Grenadier_539/media/ChineseDiaspora.png.html
A sense of self and community is very important and may even be seem as a vital trait to maintain in order to keep particular ties. You mention in your blog social
ReplyDeletenetwork sites such as Facebook are utilised by members that have experienced diaspora in order to keep both the sense of self and community and the ties to their
homeland. I definitely agree with this fact as the connections members have with others from their homeland would be of fundamental importance to protect the memories and certain histories one would share with their homeland. "This memory/history justifies for each individual their belonging to the diaspora" (Ma Mung, 2005 pp.36). Without the use of social media, members that have experienced diaspora may not necessarily forget these ties, but the bond they share to the ties will certainly weaken over time.
Reference:
Ma Mung, E (2005). Disapora, spatiality, identities. Comparative Eurpoean research in migration, diversity and identities. (pp.33-48). Bilbao, Spain: University of Deusto.
I agree with you. Facebook should help strengthen our connection as a whole to a diaspora. And it is wonderful how those apart of diaspora can communicate through social networks and help each other through hard times. However there are some negativities displayed on social networks that are aimed at those people. But on the upside it is great that sociologists such as Francesca polletta have taken the time to understand and collect resources for those involved as well as ethnic groups and how they greatly impact on our society and the economy in a positive but also negative way.
ReplyDeletePolletta. F. collective identity and social movements. [E book]. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2678623?seq=1#page_thumbnails_tab_contents