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CdnImm # 17 Understanding Francophone I mmigration I ssues Toronto, Sept. 26, 2013 . Negotiating Francophone I dentity : Issues for African and Caribbean Francophone Newcomers Lumembo Tshiswaka Promotion & Outreach Coordinator Etablissement.org . A constant question . Data sources . - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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CdnImm # 17 Understanding Francophone Immigration Issues
Toronto, Sept. 26, 2013
Negotiating Francophone Identity: Issues for African and Caribbean Francophone Newcomers
Lumembo TshiswakaPromotion & Outreach Coordinator
Etablissement.org
A constant question
Data sources • Literature review • Discussion forums on
Etablissement.org• Field Reports ( 2007-2012)• Observations in the
Francophone immigrant community
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Starting with a big question
Low self-esteem identity query :
Am I what I am or am I what others want me to
be?
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Identity creates us and we create it endlessly
Mahmoud Darwich, Identity, Poems 1964“The present time is suffocating us and tears up the identities. This is why I would find my real me only tomorrow, when I would be able to say and to write something else. Identity is not a legacy, but a creation. It creates us and we create it endlessly. And we will only know it tomorrow. My identity is plural, diverse. Today, I am absent, tomorrow I will be present. I am trying to raise the hope as one who would raise a child. To be what I want and not what others want me to be”
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
The complexity of the identity concept • Basic concept with a remarquable formal
configuration : to define oneself in relation to the other (Heine & Licata, 2007 & 2009)
• Sequences : cultural identity, national, religious, sexual, plural
• Identity becomes more and more plural• Search for identity is in constant
construction (Madibbo, 2008)• Identity gives a sense to our existence
Identity : A plural concept
Plural
National
Gender
Linguistic
Professional
Ethnic
Religious
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Balanced Identity The search for identity balance, a field that has been less studied for Afro-Caribbean immigrants, implies at the individual level:• Recognition of my personal identity;• Recognition of my collective identity;• My culture as I perceive it;• Level of respect shown to me (image).
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Research Level The search for identity balance can be located at three levels:
Individual
Institution
Community
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Research for underlying factors
Rejection
Media negative
image
More visibility
Self affirmation
Lost in the dominant
culture
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
At the individual level
Everyday life Perception of surrounding
environment
Autonomy affirmation
Identity as a defense
mechanism
Desire to be authentic
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
At the community level Language
• Linguistic vitality (provincial level) • Linguistic vitality (ethnic level)
Services
• Ethno-specific cultural agencies• Organization of cultural events
Education
• National language schools • Living Arts and Culture exhibits
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
At the institutional level• Independent churches that use
French & national languages Faith
Communities
• Provincial Union of Francophone Racial & Ethno-cultural Minorities
Provincial Agencies
• Multiculturalism projects , visibility & flourishing of ethnic culture
Access to Government
Programs
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Self identity perception Francophone newcomers feel that their identities are maladjusted or
affected by the following:
Level 1• Canadian government • Franco-Ontarian community
Level 2• Francophone media • French internet sites
Level 3• Faith communities• Neighborhood communities
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Categorization & identity lost
Use of derogatory or discriminatory terms
Imperfect statistical labels (here, we are just numbers)
Allocation to lower social categories
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
A quick look at Francophone newcomers’ identities
• Professional
• Gender
• Religious• Socio-cultural
Poverty, single
parenting, feeling of exclusion
Christian, Muslim, Animist
Unemployed, Temp & low paying jobs
Patriarchy, Status of women
status, Bias
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Identity is sacred Identity is sacred and non-negotiable. To the Francophone Newcomer, identity represents:
Guiding principle # 1
What is most precious in his/her life
Guiding principle # 2
What he/she cannot alienate without a valid cause
Guiding principle # 3
What makes him/her distinct from other people
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Name : A Precious Identity In traditional Africa as it is today:
Sacred
• Each name is sacred, either for a child or for an adult
First
• Name is the first identity for the individual
Consensus
• A name cannot be changed without the parents’ approval
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Search for a balanced identity
Compromise
• Alienate a portion of my identity
• Able to be accepted
Negotiation
• Assert one's contribution as any other Canadian
• Patriotism
Balance
• Always seek balance
• Between acceptance and rejection
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Media and francophone identity Mainstream Media
Newcomers often ignored; stereotypes spread
Influence
Weak weight for ethnic media; Francophone sites try to address the problem
Second generation
Does not recognize itself in parents‘ culture
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Francophone identity & school curriculum
Immigrant historical contribution often ignored in school programs;School curricula do not include newcomer students’ cultural elements;Teaching methods not adapted to students’ needs;Majority of teachers unfamiliar with students’ culture;Newcomer students’ parents not always involved in their kids’ education
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Reasons for negotiating Multiple identities conflicting in the context of a dominant culture; Feeling of a lost identity that we once had in our home country;Use of discriminatory vocabulary (French stock, pure French) that leaves the Francophone newcomer wondering ;Intense need to come out from the identity and cultural isolation which the dominant culture imposes on the Francophone newcomer
Etablissement.orgCarrefour des nouveaux arrivants francophones
Common used strategies Use of French at home
Use of ethnic languages at home & other occasions Reinforce feelings of belonging & cohesion between newcomers from same cultural & linguistic backgrounds Production of ethno-cultural artifacts Reinforce collaboration & linguistic partnerships with the Franco-Ontarian community Teaching French to younger generations
• To get a copy of this presentation, please send an email to : [email protected]
Thank you for your attention!
Any questions?