cdnimm # 17 understanding francophone immigration issues toronto, sept. 26, 2013 negotiating...

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?


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”


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


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).


Research Level The search for identity balance can be located at three levels:

Individual

Institution

Community


Research for underlying factors

Rejection

Media negative

image

More visibility

Self affirmation

Lost in the dominant

culture


At the individual level

Everyday life Perception of surrounding

environment

Autonomy affirmation

Identity as a defense

mechanism

Desire to be authentic


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


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


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


Categorization & identity lost

Use of derogatory or discriminatory terms

Imperfect statistical labels (here, we are just numbers)

Allocation to lower social categories


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


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


What he/she cannot alienate without a valid cause


What makes him/her distinct from other people


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


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


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


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


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


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?

mailto:[email protected]

cdnimm # 17 understanding francophone immigration issues toronto, sept. 26, 2013 negotiating...

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