arab representation between faith, identity, and culture: a case study about arab cultural representation and issues of identities, cultural memory and integration in copenhagen
Authors
Mroueh, Abbas ; Wanska, Kelsey Cheryl
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2012
Submitted on
2012-11-03
Pages
84
Abstract
Mange indvandrere med ikke-vestlig baggrund bliver ofte reduceret til én samlet kategori, for eksempel som “muslimer”, uanset deres forskellige historier og overbevisninger. Dette projekt undersøger, hvordan sådan en generaliserende kulturel repræsentation (hvordan grupper fremstilles i offentligheden) påvirker identitetsvalg og -dannelse. Med fokus på personer med arabisk baggrund udforsker vi en formodet muslimsk identitet, både hvordan den tilskrives udefra, og hvordan den kan påvirke egen selvforståelse. Gennem en teoretisk analyse af et casestudie om fremvæksten af muslimsk bevidsthed i Storbritannien (en oplevelse af fælles muslimsk tilhørsforhold) viser vi, at det kan være skadeligt at prioritere forskelle i arbejdet med identiteter, fordi det kan skabe skarpe skel og modsætningsforhold. Vi argumenterer for, at ligheder bør have en større plads, hvis vi ønsker mindre konfliktfyldt socialt samvær. For at beskrive det grundlag, som ligheder kan opstå på, introducerer vi hukommelsens rolle i identitetsdannelse—særligt i migrationssituationer, hvor personlige og kollektive minder kan binde mennesker sammen.
Many immigrants from non-Western backgrounds are often grouped under a single label, such as “Muslim,” despite their diverse histories and beliefs. This project examines how such generalizing cultural representation (how groups are portrayed in public) influences identity choices and formation. Focusing on people of Arab origin, we explore a presumed Muslim identity—both how it is assigned from the outside and how it can shape self-understanding. Through a theoretical analysis of a case study on the rise of Muslim consciousness in Britain (a growing sense of shared Muslim belonging), we show that prioritizing differences in identity work can be harmful, as it hardens boundaries and fuels antagonism. We argue that similarities should play a larger role if we want less conflictual social engagement. To outline the foundations on which similarities can emerge, we introduce the role of memory in identity formation—especially in migration, where personal and collective memories can connect people.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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