Diaspora and Facebook
By Madelaine Sacco
Image retrieved from http://onpoint.wbur.org/2009/04/08/facebook-culture
Diaspora is defined as “the spread or dissemination of
something originally confined to a local, homogeneous group, as a language or
cultural institution” (Dictionary, 2015). Through use of Facebook, dispersed communities
can find links between individuals and to places of cultural origin. According
to Kuttainen (2015), links and hubs of origin are two features required to form
a people network from dispersed communities.
Facebook contributes to the formation of a person’s cultural
identity by creating possible links both to the country of origin and to other
individuals who have migrated. This
cultural identity is “based on the feeling of sharing a 'common origin, be it
real or supposed” (MaMung, 2005, p. 35), and so can also be linked to the idea
of diaspora as a culture is spread through migration.
For individuals with a weak link to their cultural heritage,
the need to have a sense of cultural belonging is often very strong. Diaspora communities
in particular are urged to sustain the collective identity that may have been
lost during migration and/or through generational distance. Facebook allows for
communities to create a space online to link them to a geographical place of
origin. Using pictures of past generations and of the location itself allows
for a more personal connection to be made for individuals.
Using Facebook to connect with culture is also a way for the
diaspora of a community to continue. Though the culture may not spread by
migration, it is dispersed through technology and can reach a further geographic.
It is also possible for people with no historical link to become involved with
the culture. Facebook allows for a culture/ community to live online as a
network and link to other networks more easily.
Diaspora exists both virtually and in reality. For a culture
the spread is endless, so long as the community still feels the need to connect
with their cultural heritage when forming an identity.
References:
Dictionary.com. (2015). Diaspora.
Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diaspora
Kuttainen,
V. (2015) BA1002: People networks, week 7
notes [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved
from www.learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
MaMung, E. (2005) Comparative
European research in migration, diversity and identities: Diaspora, spatiality, identities. 33-48.
Spain, EU: University of Duesto Bilbao.
Nice post! It fits in well with what Ma Mung said about diaspora "Today, it refers to a much broader topic as the accounts of large dispersal of populations continue to increase all over the world" (Ma Mung, 2005, p.33). I like how you discussed that facebook can be a way of maintaining the link to a culture, after a diaspora, but also that it continues the diaspora.
ReplyDeleteREFERENCES:
Ma Mung,E. (2005) Diaspora, Spatiality, Identities. W. Bosswick & C. Husband (Eds), Comparative European research in migration, diversity and identities (pp. 33-48). Spain: Univeristy of Deusto.
I agree that a sense of cultural belonging is often very strong. Belonging to a place or group is something that defines whom we are as a person and sustains a place in this world. The different ethnicities within Australia are just an example of this. This includes religious ethnicities such as Muslims, Christians or even people who dispel religion. Each person within one of these groups has a stance of place and belonging as it has shaped who that are, the morals they believe and who they have become. “The Hubs of origin” (Kuttainen, 2015) to where someone ‘fits’ is an important factor because without this, standards, and principles would not be projected as strongly in today’s society compared to a culture with no place or point of foundation.
ReplyDeleteKuttainen,V. (2015). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, Lecture 7: Power. [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from: https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/announcement?method=search&context=course_entry&course_id=_69740_1&handle=announcements_entry&mode=view