Palestinian-Americans : construction and maintainence [i.e. maintenance] of political and cultural identity in diaspora
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Matthew B. Parnell (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
- Advisor
- Andrew Clark
Abstract: Since 1948, Palestinians have lived in forced diaspora throughout the world. The
circumstances of displacement has rendered it difficult to define a specific and bounded
Palestinian identity. Palestinians all over the globe have individually constructed and maintained
a sense of Palestinianness characterized by diversity, fluidity, and unboundedness.
These personalized definitions of Palestinian selfdom characterize identity among
PalestinianAmericans.
The historical factors that each individual has experienced have led to
these differences and ambiguous positionings, yet each individual maintains they possess an
identity as Palestinian. These individualized characteristics are constructed and maintained
among interviewees of this study, all ironically different and similar.
In light of the unusual circumstances that plague construction and maintenance of
Palestinian identity, PalestinianAmericans
have utilized various sources that encourage
collective selfdom. Walid Khalidi’s, Before Their Diaspora, is a historical narrative that
challenges hegemonic historiographies that deny the existence of the collective Palestinian
historical past. PalestinianAmericans
have utilized this medium as a source to affirm their
collective historical, political, and cultural legitimacy and aid in the transmission of these
identities to younger generations. Yet, Before Their Diaspora also represents the negation of the
personal experience and diversity of identity inherent in Palestinians. This project focuses on
analyzing this phenomenon by incorporating oral testimony as its primary research tool.
Palestinian-Americans : construction and maintainence [i.e. maintenance] of political and cultural identity in diaspora
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters of Arts
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- National characteristics Palestinian, Palestine--History--1799-1917, Palestine--History--1917-1948, Palestinian Americans, Palestinian Arabs
- Subjects
- Palestinian Arabs
- Palestine -- History -- 1799-1917
- Palestine -- History -- 1917-1948
- National characteristics, Palestinian
- Palestinian Americans