Defining Diaspora
Avtar Brah explains the diaspora concept as a complex tool that explains the relationship between political, economic, and cultural aspects related to migration, whether it’s refugee, guest worker, expatriate, or exile. As such, diaspora is linked to the point of origin where the dispersion of communities started. As such, different diasporas intersect, having similarities as well as differences. For instance, the Chinese and Indian have links that date many centuries ago that were initiated by British colonialism. The Japanese and Chinese Diasporas in the USA have links that relate to labor migrations to the USA.
Avtar further discusses border and border theory explaining that border refers to both geographical and analytical. In Avtar’s argument, border theory explains the point of confluence and inter-sectionality of the theoretical constructs that explain multiple axes of differentiation. The diaspora concept means that borders must be considered and how it relates to late capitalism (Brah 19). An example is the US Mexico border and the study of Aguilla migrants in Mexico between 1940 and 1980. The song “Home” illustrates these politics when natives want black refugees to go back home to their messed up countries so as not to suck their country dry (Shire n.p.). Therefore, diaspora and border need to be studied about the politics of location to prevent the concept of location from dissolving out of focus.
Additionally, Avtar discusses the notion of diaspora space as space where the concepts of border, diaspora, and politics of location are made pervasive. Space is made up of all humans present in a given location regardless of their position as natives or migrants. As such, Avtar advocates for considering different elements in cultures to understand a new culture (Brah 27). As such, insights from border theory, post-colonial theory, and border theory, as well as analysis of imperialism, gay and class politics, can be used to explain power in diaspora space. For instance, England is a space where Jewish Asian, Irish, African, among other diasporas, meet.
Avtar’s definition of diaspora space applies to both Home and Once in a Lifetime positions. This is because diaspora space is an intersection of diaspora, border, and location acting as a confluence point. Besides, Migritude tells a story of a generation of migrants with a voice, who don’t assimilate to protect themselves but are there claiming their space (Patel, n.p.). Moreover, Lahiri explains how migrants from Makiktala and Calcutta left their traditions and acquired a new way of life, the Cambridge way (Lahiri, n.p.). The traditions in a diaspora space are continually reinvented, referencing culture at the sight of travel (Brah 26). In this regard, diaspora space is inhabited by migrants and residents and involves the entanglement and interlocking of genealogies of dispersion and those still intact.
Adichie describes the power in stories arguing that there is danger in knowing only one story about a topic or a group. A single-story creates stereotypes that place further problems in that they are incomplete, not necessarily untrue (Adichie n.p.). Stereotypes make the story be the only tale on a particular topic. Adichie explains the stories’ root from simple misunderstandings, misinformation, or carefully written stories with malicious intent. I agree with Adichie’s position on the dangers posed by one story. Different literature portrays Africa as an example of human tragedy. The story shows the importance of considering different stories as they provide different perspectives, thereby breaking the power of clichés and stereotypes created by one story.
In conclusion, diaspora, borders, and diaspora space explain what lies beneath everything on migration. It explains the politics, existence, and perceptions of home and reinvention of cultural practices in diaspora spaces. On the other hand, Adichie’s explains the dangers of depending on one story and its relationship to the formation of stereotypes. As such, having different stories on a topic gives different perspectives and removes stereotypes.
Works Cited
Adichie, Chimamanda. “Transcript Of “The Danger Of A Single Story”. Ted.Com, 2009, https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story/transcript#t-771028. Accessed 10 Nov 2020.
Brah, Avtar. “Diaspora, border, and transnational Identities.” Brah, Avtar. Cartographies of Diaspora: Contesting Identities. London and New York: Routledge, 2005. 288.
Lahiri, Jhumpa. “Once In A Lifetime”. The New Yorker, 2020, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/05/08/once-in-a-lifetime. Accessed 11 Nov 2020.
Patel, Shaija. “Migritude”. Youtube.Com, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0fGdQOORMc. Accessed 11 Nov 2020.
Shire, Warsan. “Home.” By Warsan Shire. 2017.
