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An Exploration of Identity Narratives of Lebanese-Canadians Around the Time of the July 2006 War in Lebanon by Nabiha Rawdah B.A., Concordia University College of Alberta, 2003 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies Nabiha Rawdah, 2011 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee An Exploration of Identity Narratives of Lebanese-Canadians Around the Time of the July 2006 War in Lebanon by Nabiha Rawdah B.A., Concordia University College of Alberta, 2003 Supervisory Committee Dr. E. Anne Marshall, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies Supervisor Dr. Timothy Black, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies Departmental Member Professor David Turner, Faculty of Social Work Outside Member iii Supervisory Committee Dr. Anne Marshall, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies Supervisor Dr. Tim Black, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies Departmental Member Professor David Turner, Faculty of Social Work Outside Member Abstract The focus of this qualitative study was Lebanese-Canadians‟ identity in the context of global media coverage of the July 2006 war in Lebanon. A narrative inquiry method was used to interview five Lebanese-Canadian participants living in Canada. A descriptive narrative was constructed for each participant, and interview data were analyzed for thematic content. Comments, opinions, and observations were related to media portrayals of Lebanese- Canadians, the government‟s response to the July 2006 war, and the political history between Lebanon and Israel. The results demonstrate that despite a shared ethnic heritage, conceptualizing a Lebanese-Canadian identity is an individual and interactive process that extends beyond citizenship or ethnic ancestry. Moreover, historical and contemporary socio- political issues are inextricably linked to how participants view themselves as Lebanese- Canadians and the meaning this identity status holds for them. These findings suggest that notions of identity and identity-related processes are multifaceted and operate within a highly political context. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee ........................................................................................................... ii Abstract.................................................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ......................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................. vii CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY. ...........................1 Cultural Pluralism: Ideology and Government Policy in Canada……………….........................2 Globalization and Conceptions of Identity...................................................................................4 The Socio-historical Context of the Lebanese Civil War.............................................................9 The Lebanese Community in Canada.........................................................................................13 The July 2006 War in Lebanon...................................................................................................14 Impact of War on Lebanese-Canadians......................................................................................15 Purpose of the Study……………………………………………………………......................18 Summary of Chapter One.......................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF SELECTED LITERATURE........................................................20 Stage Model of Racial/Cultural Identity......... …………..........……….………........................20 Ethnic Identity Negotiation Processes........................................................................................23 Biculturalism…………………………………………........................................................…..29 The Impact of News Media........................................................................................................32 Anti-Arab Sentiment……………………………………………………………......................34 Ethnocultural and Religious Motivations for Hate Crimes in Canada………......................….37 Summary of Chapter Two……………………………………..…………….....................…...38 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY...........................................................................................39 Research Paradigm……………………………………………………....................………….39 Research Design…………………………………………………….…......................………..40 Central Features of Narrative Research……………………………….....................……….....41 Characteristics of Narratives……………………………………….....................……………..42 Philosophical Underpinnings of Narrative Research……………….....................…………….43 v Ontological and Epistemological Assumptions of Narrative Inquiry….....................……...….44 Research Method………………………………………………………...….....................……44 Summary of Chapter Three……………………………………………….....................………54 CHAPTER IV: RESULTS..........................................................................................................55 R‟s Story.....................................................................................................................................55 Z‟s Story......................................................................................................................................58 S‟s Story......................................................................................................................................60 A‟s Story.....................................................................................................................................63 J‟s Story......................................................................................................................................65 Chapter V: THEMATIC ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION......................................................68 History of Relations with Israel..................................................................................................69 Commentary on the July 2006 War............................................................................................71 Media..........................................................................................................................................76 Identity........................................................................................................................................80 CHAPTER VI: SUMMARY AND IMPLICATIONS...............................................................94 Summary of Major Findings.......................................................................................................94 Limitations..................................................................................................................................96 Future Research..........................................................................................................................98 Implications for Practice...........................................................................................................100 Impact on Researcher................................................................................................................101 Concluding Thoughts................................................................................................................102 References.................................................................................................................................103 APPENDIX A: Permission Request Letter...............................................................................117 APPENDIX B: Invitation to Participate...................................................................................119 APPENDIX C: Participant Recruitment Poster........................................................................120 APPENDIX D: Participant Consent Form................................................................................121 vi List of Tables Table 1. Sub-themes and Major Themes ................................................................................. 68 vii Acknowledgments The writing of this thesis has been one of the most significant academic challenges I have undertaken in my life so far. I wish to offer my deepest gratitude and appreciation for all the people who I have had the opportunity to work with and who have supported and encouraged me throughout this entire process. Dr. Anne Marshall – My time here at UVic has been enriched by the various opportunities you have generously provided me. The researcher, writer, and professional I am today could not have matured without your invaluable feedback and commitment to conducting research with meaning. Thus, I thank you for your time, support, and effort to transform this work into something meaningful. Your patience and generosity was greatly appreciated. Dr. Tim Black and Professor David Turner