Notions of Identity, Race and Social Class
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Notions of Identity, Race and Social Class Notions of Identity, Race and Social Class A Case Study of Young Afro-Caribbean Adults within an Artistic Environment in the Dominican Republic TONJE SÆTHER MARKUSSEN SUPERVISOR Hanne Haaland University of Agder, 2017 Faculty of Social Science Department of Global Development and Planning 1 Notions of Identity, Race and Social Class Abstract This study explores the links between race, social class and identity and the possibilities for social mobility. The empirical investigation is based on a qualitative case study, and the data is mainly collected through participant observation and in depth-interviews among a group of young people in the small village of Cabarete and in the Capital Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The current issue in the Dominican Republic is the unjust denationalization and deportations of Haitians, Dominican of Haitian-decent and Dominicans of perceived Haitian-descent by a xenophobic government. Nevertheless, this is not the first time Haitians has been displaced. The country seems to be struggling to get rid of its ‘developing country’ status, but in a country were the majority of people are of mixed race, it does not seem to be right by erasing the category black from official and popular discourses on race, to only count for the Other (Haitians). My findings suggest, that although politically neglected, socially and economically marginalized; Afro-Dominican youths pride interfere with the class-structures. But instead of letting themselves be discriminated from the top and down, their race and social class is used as an expression in art. Dominican youth have the personal agency of putting themselves above, and using their livelihood and art as a way for achieving social mobility. 2 Notions of Identity, Race and Social Class Acknowledgements This research could not have been successfully completed without the contribution, participation and consent of all respondents. All those who welcomed me into their lives, allowing me to observe and participate and opening up to me by sharing their stories and over the course of together four months in the field. I am grateful that we met, the chance to get to know you and for your eagerness to help and form this thesis. The completion of this thesis would not have been possible without the help, support and contributions of everyone who have helped me in the research process. I would like to thank my supervisor, Hanne Haaland, for your guidance, encouragement, advice and helpful comments throughout my work on this thesis. Thank you to the Department of Global Development and Planning at the faculty of Social Science at the University of Agder, for the five years leading up to this thesis. A particular thanks to all the other professors, staff and fellow students in the masters program for two inspiring and rewarding years. Finally, I would like to thank my parents, Ingrid and Jørn, for proofreading my thesis and your unlimited support and encouragement throughout my education. My dear friend Ruben for your endless belief in me, and a special thanks to Kaitlin and other close friends for believing in me, supporting me, and always inspiring me. 3 Notions of Identity, Race and Social Class Table of content Abstract ............................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ 3 Table of content ............................................................................................................................... 4 Abbreviations and acronyms ...................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 1: Introduction & Research Questions .................................................................... 7 1.1 Background: ......................................................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Research Intention & Methodology in brief: ............................................................................. 8 1.3 Research Objective & Research Questions ................................................................................. 8 1.4 Thesis Outline ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2: Contextual Overview .............................................................................................. 10 2.1 The Dominican Republic ............................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Historical and Political context ................................................................................................... 11 2.3 Socio Economical conditions: ...................................................................................................... 13 2.4 Historic events; understanding the relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti .................................................................................................................................................... 14 2.4.1 Antihaitianismo ........................................................................................................................................... 16 2.5 The current issues of citizenship: Causes of Immigration & migration ........................ 17 2.5.1 Human rights-issues .................................................................................................................................. 18 2.5.2 Deportations/Expulsions ........................................................................................................................ 19 2.6 The study areas: ............................................................................................................................... 20 Chapter 3: Key Concepts & Theoretical- and Conceptual Framework ....................... 23 3.1 Key Concepts ..................................................................................................................................... 23 3.2 Social framework ............................................................................................................................. 29 3.2.1 Identity ............................................................................................................................................ 30 Cultural Identity ..................................................................................................................................................... 32 3.2.2 Field, Capital & Social battles ................................................................................................... 36 Social Class ................................................................................................................................................................ 38 3.2.3 The Mulatto Republic ................................................................................................................. 41 Historically racial categories and social standing in Latin America ................................................ 41 “Gente de primera” Elites in the Hispanic Caribbean ............................................................................ 42 3.2.4 Power & Symbolic violence ...................................................................................................... 44 Chapter 4: Methodology ............................................................................................................. 46 4.1 Research Strategy – Qualitative methodology ....................................................................... 46 4.2 Selection of study area ................................................................................................................... 47 4.3 Research design - Case Study ....................................................................................................... 48 4.4 Access to field .................................................................................................................................... 48 4.4.1 Sampling & accessing respondents ..................................................................................................... 49 4.4.2 Key Informants ............................................................................................................................................ 51 4.5 Methods of Data Collection ........................................................................................................... 52 4.5.1 Participant Observation ........................................................................................................................... 52 4.5.2 Interviews ...................................................................................................................................................... 53 4.5.3 Documents as source of data ................................................................................................................. 55 4.5.4 Field notes ..................................................................................................................................................... 56 4.6 Analysing qualitative data & validity and credibility .......................................................... 57 4.7 Ethical considerations ..................................................................................................................