Diasporas, media, and culture: Exploring dimensions of human mobility and connectivity in the era of global interdependency | Culture and communication in digital worlds

Author(s): Roza Tsagarousianou, Jessica Retis

Year of publication: 2019

Keywords: Diaspora, Cultural identity, Transnationalism, Diasporic media, Postcolonial studies, Diasporic public spheres, Intersectionality, Digital technologies, Cultural politics

Methodology/Sample: _/_

Reference: Tsagarousianou, R., & Retis, J. (2019). Diasporas, media, and culture: Exploring dimensions of human mobility and connectivity in the era of global interdependency. In R. Tsagarousianou & J. Retis (Eds.), The handbook of diasporas, media, and culture, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119236771.ch1

Abstract

This chapter introduces key debates and state-of-the-art research on the intersection of diasporic phenomena, media, and cultural studies. It analyzes the ascendancy of the term diaspora in social sciences and the broader theoretical debates within different, mainly interdisciplinary fields such as cultural and media, postcolonial, and area studies. It examines the work of various scholars who have been exploring new dimensions of human mobility and connectivity, that were not adequately addressed through the use of existing conceptual frameworks that had particular histories and connotations. By outlining contributions of this edited volume, this chapter seeks to provide a compass to navigate the handbook’s 39 chapters, which are compiled in seven parts: I. Roots and routes: The nature of ‘diaspora(s)’: Their relation to nation, ethnicity, religion, societies of provenance, and societies of settlement; II. Home and away: Transnationalism, localism, and the construction of diasporic identity; III. Cultural politics in the diaspora: Diasporic public spheres/spaces, identity politics, and diasporic activism; IV. Nation and diasporas: Diasporas, nationalism, and the making of national cultures; V. Gender and generation: How do gender and generation intersect with the diasporic condition and impact on diasporic cultural politics?; VI. New technologies, new experiences: Changing media and information and communication technologies, and their impact on diasporic cultures; VII. Redefining social spaces in the diaspora: The transformation of urban, physical, and virtual spaces.

> Summary

The term “diaspora” has gained prominence in interdisciplinary studies over the past three decades, reflecting new dimensions of human mobility.
Scholars aim to connect human dispersion phenomena with broader theoretical advances in globalization and postcolonialism.
The handbook explores diasporic cultures, their global impact, and emerging transnational cultural politics.
It critiques essentialist notions of identity, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of diaspora.
Methodological challenges in diaspora research are discussed, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches.

> Problem statement

The paper critiques the neoliberal global order’s management of human mobilities, emphasizing its impact on migrants’ rights and experiences.
It highlights the failure of Europe’s asylum policies to protect migrants while prioritizing security and political needs.
The rise of populism has exacerbated fears and misconceptions about migrants, leading to harmful legislation against assistance.
The paper discusses the complexities of diasporas, challenging essentialist views and the dominance of nation-state perspectives.
It addresses the need for a critical understanding of human mobility in the context of globalization and postcolonialism.

> Methods used

Not addressed in the paper.

> Practical implications

The paper highlights the role of diasporic media in creating new spaces for cultural interaction and synchronization among dispersed populations.
It emphasizes the need to rethink diaspora through digital alliances, enhancing political and social visions beyond national identities.
The research suggests that understanding connectivity among diasporic communities can transform them into transnational actors in a globalized world.
It discusses the fragility of information networks for refugees, impacting their social inclusion and community building.
The paper advocates for a nuanced understanding of diaspora, moving beyond essentialist notions of identity and homeland.
Overall, it contributes to the discourse on globalization, human mobility, and the complexities of diasporic identities.