New Perspectives in Diasporic Experience

Book excerpt: This volume was first published by Inter-Disciplinary Press in 2014. Taking a transcultural and interdisciplinary approach to Diaspora studies, New Perspectives in Diasporic Experience offers a wide range of new and challenging perspectives on Diaspora and confirms the relevance of this field to the discussion of contemporary forms of identity construction, movement, settlement, membership and collective identification. This volume investigates constructions of diasporic identity from a variety of temporal and spatial contexts. They explore encounters between diasporic communities and host societies, and examine how diasporic experiences can contribute to perpetuating or challenging normalised perceptions of the Other. The authors discuss how visual and literary representations become an integral part of diasporic experiences and identities. Other themes examined include communities’ attempts to reverse the negative effects of Diaspora and maintain cultural continuity, as well as generational differences and dialogue within the Diaspora, and the power that individuals have to negotiate marginal identities in diasporic settings.