DOCSLIB.ORG

SECTION NEWS February 2011 |

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
SECTION NEWS February 2011 | SECTION NEWS February 2011 | Anthropology and Environment Section S ECTION NEWS Terre Satterfield, Contributing Editor Recognizing that the association’s sections represent the rich diversity of the discipline’s subfields, AN includes Section News, State of the Section Report which provides news of specific relevance to members of each section (eg, summaries of section business meetings, section meeting presentations, section awards). Members are encouraged to make full use of other AN editorial sections to report items By Paige West (A&E President) of more general interest (eg, meeting dates, death notices, commentaries). Contact information for section contributing editors A&E had a great 2010 meeting in New Orleans. Many is available in individual columns and on the AAA website. of our sponsored panels took up questions of circula- tion, flow and movement, the overall theme of the meet- in the Cane (1960) examined the connections of local ings. We sponsored panels on the circulation of ecoto- American Ethnological histories to global processes of capitalism. Moreover, pian imaginaries, water, energy, environmental knowledge Society Oscar Lewis’ La Vida (1966) inaugurated the culture and morals, climate science and knowledge, and conser- of poverty literature. Steward et al’s and Lewis’ studies vation capital. We also sponsored panels on hybrid land- Caitrin Lynch, Contributing Editor received intense anti-imperialist critiques from Puerto scapes, the relationship between environmental toxins Rican anthropologists (Valdés-Pizzini 2001). and neoliberal policy, the anthropological analysis of light, Join Us in Puerto Rico! Spring 2011 AES/ The anthropology of Puerto Rico has expanded consid- how transnational extractive industries work, contem- SUNTA Conference erably since the 1970s. Carlos Buitrago (1973), Rafael porary research on disaster, human-animal interactions, Thanks to AES’s Sharryn Kasmir (Hofstra U) and SUNTA’s Ramírez (1973), Helen Safa (1974) and Eduardo Seda the anthropology of stuff, settlement patterns, the rela- Lisa Maya Knauer (U Massachusetts—Dartmouth) we (1980) initiated important critical analyses of Puerto Rican tionship between animals, actor networks, and conserva- have much to look forward to at our upcoming spring society, followed by Manuel Valdés-Pizzini’s studies on tion. Additionally, we co-sponsored an exceptional panel conference: New Forms of Difference/New Forms of political economy (1985), Jorge Duany’s on migration on the environment, technology and humanitarianism Connection. Cosponsored by SUNTA, the conference (1990, 2002), and Carmen A Pérez-Herranz’s on gender in Iraq. Finally, we sponsored a poster session with seven will take place April 14–17, 2011, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (1990). In the last decade, a new generation of Puerto posters, a farming tour of New Orleans and a roundtable The submission deadline has passed, but we are accepting Rican anthropologists, through work on history and on the Gulf oil spill. We wish to thank Ben Columbi, our preregistration until April 1 and there will be onsite regis- power, gated communities, race, gender, environment, program chair, for this year’s work and for having served as tration. For the CFP, registration, hotel and travel infor- religion, social justice and modernity, have maintained a our program chair for the past four years. Sadly, Ben will be mation, see www.aesonline.org. The conference will be a vibrant critical stance. Added to these are new studies by stepping down this year but the entire section hopes that wonderful chance to get together with colleagues and to North American anthropologists that examine militarism, he knows how much we appreciate his hard work. get to know Puerto Rico (we have tours and other events neoliberal education and environmental health. In addi- A&E gave out five awards this year. Colin T West won planned for this purpose), and the Presidential Address tion, important studies of the Puerto Rican diaspora reflect the junior scholar award for his 2009 paper “Domestic by AES President Jane Collins (U Wisconsin) will be enti- the fact that most Puerto Ricans live outside Puerto Rico. Transitions, Desiccation, Agricultural Intensification, and tled “Connection and Difference in Global Circuits: New Critiques of Philippe Bourgois’ In Search of Respect (1995) Livelihood Diversification among Rural Households on the Configurations of Labor and Inequality.” We thank Ismael reflect the larger reality that Puerto Ricans have taken the Central Plateau, Burkina Faso” (American Anthropologist García-Colón for the following guest column about the lead in academic representation of the islands’ and the dias- 11[3]: 275–88). place of Puerto Rico in our discipline. The sources Ismael pora’s realities (see especially Torres 1998). Tensions still The Rappaport panel, a panel in honor of anthropolo- cites are available on the conference webpage at www. permeate the relationships between North American and gist Roy A Rappaport, was once again successful. Graduate aesonline.org or they can be requested from Ismael via Puerto Rican anthropologies. students Austin Zeiderman, Sean Downey, Sarah Besky, email. A nation on the move for some and a colony for others, Megan Ybarra and Georgina Drew were selected to Puerto Rico still struggles with the legacy of its use as a present papers at the panel. Sarah Besky won this year’s Puerto Rico in the Making of Anthropology social laboratory for testing policies in times of economic Rappaport prize for her paper “Garden Variety Kinship: By Ismael García-Colón (C Staten Island, CUNY) crisis. Looking beyond the confines of tourist attrac- Shifting Moral Economies and Relationships of Care on tions, ubiquitously visible are the effects of neoliberal Darjeeling Tea Plantations.” As a Spanish-speaking US territory (since 1898), Puerto policies with massive layoffs of government employees, Fifteen proposals were submitted for the Small Grants Rico may understandably confuse outside observers: Is it public-private corporate partnerships, a student move- Awards for Collaborative Problem Solving this year. Two American, Latin American or Caribbean? Puerto Rico’s ment fighting against privatization of higher education and proposals were chosen to receive $2,000 each. They were low profile in anthropology doesn’t help provide us with a Republican governor praised by the Obama administra- Karl Hoerig for his proposal “Coordinating Efforts to ready answers. Has Puerto Rico always been marginal to tion. As you gather for the AES meeting, the ever-changing Perpetuate Western Apache Environmental Knowledge” North American anthropology? dynamics of empire and modernity in the oldest colony in (US) and Kristin VanderMolen for her proposal “Of US domination signaled the arrival of North American the world (Trías Monge 1999) invite you to explore. Hurricanes and Hot Peppers: Bringing Local Legends Back anthropologists in the islands. During the first half of to Cotacachi’s Children” (Ecuador). the 20th century, several anthropological studies were Contact Ismael García-Colón at [email protected]. A&E member Heather Lazrus wrote a proposal to our conducted in Puerto Rico (Duany 1987). Even Franz Boas Contact Contributing Editor Caitrin Lynch at [email protected] executive board in the summer to start on an initiative at found a brief interest in the islands (Iranzo Berrocal 2011). with ideas for future columns, comments and submissions for AAA on climate changes. Working with A&E President- Yet how centrally have US anthropologists internalized our occasional Film Notes feature. elect Glenn D Stone, Heather presented her “Proposed the lessons to be derived from Puerto Rico’s early profile Resolution for American Anthropological Association in North American anthropology? I am still amazed to Task Force on Anthropology and Global Climate Change” find little reference to US colonialism in North American at the AAA Section Assembly on Friday morning. Heather anthropology, while it addresses at a great length the and a small task force of members will continue to work British, French and Dutch cases. Listen to the AAA Podcast to push this resolution through the AAA policy process. The brief period when Puerto Rico became a precious At the A&E board meeting the board discussed a www.aaanet.org/issues/ commodity for US academia was during the mid-20th memo brought to us by student board member Dana E century. The islands became a US laboratory for develop- AAA-Podcast-Series.cfm Powell. The memo outlined several excellent suggestions ment policies. In this context, Julian Steward et al’s The from student members on how to make AAA meetings a People of Puerto Rico (1956) and Sidney Mintz’s Worker more positive experience for them. While we will not be 33 | February 2011 SECTION NEWS able to enact all their proposals, we will begin to organize the professional interests of American anthropologists, with our board meeting, followed by our midday business yearly roundtables focused on student-generated profes- including the dissemination of anthropological knowl- meeting, and finally our evening reception, distinguished sionalization-related topics. Next year we will have our edge and its use to solve human problems.” lecture and presentation of awards. first one, which will be organized around issues of career The EB has urged the AAA membership to submit Major points from the board and business meetings choices and possible career trajectories for environmental remarks and suggestions for rewording
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2012-AAA-Annual-Report.Pdf
    Borders & Crossings New Ways to Generate Conversations & Experiences 2012 ANNUAL REPORT EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEES 2012 AAA Linguistic Seat Section Assembly Committee on the Executive Board Niko Besnier EB Seat #1 Future of Print (2011–14) Gabriela Vargas– and Electronic President Publishing University of Cetina Leith Mullings (2010–12) Deborah Nichols (2011–13) Amsterdam Universidad The Graduate Center Committee on Minority Seat Autonoma de Yucatan of the City University Gender Equity in Ana L Aparicio Anthropology of New York Section Assembly (2010–13) Jennifer R Weis EB Seat #2 Northwestern President–Elect/Vice Ida Susser University Committee for President (2010–13) Monica Heller Human Rights Practicing/ Hunter College, (2011–13) Ilana Feldman Professional Seat City University of Jessica Winegar University of Toronto, Alisse Waterston New York Ontario Institute for (2010–13) Committee on Labor Studies in Education John Jay College of Treasurer–Ex Officio Relations Criminal Justice, Edward Liebow Michael Chibnik Secretary City University of (2008–12) Debra L Martin New York Battelle Committee on (2009–12) Minority Issues in University of Nevada, Student Seat Anthropology Las Vegas Jason E Miller AAA Committees Simon Craddock Lee (2009–12) and Chairs Section Assembly University of South Committee on Convenor Annual Meeting Practicing, Applied Florida Program Chair Vilma Santiago– and Public Interest Carolyn Rouse Anthropology Irizarry Undesignated #1 (2011–13) Keri Brondo Hugh Gusterson Anthropological Cornell University (2009–12)
    [Show full text]
  • North American Dialogue Newsletter of the Society for the Anthropology of North America
    NORTH AMERICAN DIALOGUE NEWSLETTER OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICA Volume 10, No. 1 April 2007 ISSN 1539-2546 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Report on the Field In his “Report from the President” (NAD 2006: The Anthropology of the U.S.: 14), SANA President Jeff Maskovsky notes “…the Cited Not Nearly Enough and Still Earning Respect pioneering scholarship in our field is still not taught or cited as frequently as it should be. By Kate Masley Indeed, it is still possible to read new monographs based on U.S. research that ignore the extensive ethnographic literature on the field. We must not Abstract: This article provides an overview of some allow the weakening of the area studies rubric to significant trends and developments in the anthropology of the U.S. The author, a young North Americanist, erase the deep understanding of the American highlights the ongoing need to acknowledge and cite the scene that has been produced by decades of extensive body of work that seems to get lost with each excellent scholarship.” In this article, I seek to new cohort of anthropologists seeking to do acknowledge that this extensive scholarship exists, ethnography “at home” in the U.S. Tracing the origins and provide an overview of some significant of American anthropology to its “Indianology” roots, the developments and shifts that have taken place author sketches changes that came with World War II within the field. By no means is this review meant and the post-war generation of anthropologists calling to be exhaustive, but is intended to provide an for new, U.S.-based research.
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Anthropology and the Vera Fellows Program John Jay
    ALISSE WATERSTON Department of Anthropology and the Vera Fellows Program John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York 524 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-237-8956 Email: [email protected] Academic Appointments Presidential Scholar and Professor of Anthropology, John Jay College, CUNY, 2017 – Professor of Anthropology, John Jay College, CUNY, 2008 – Co-Director, Vera Fellows Program, 2014 – Co-Faculty, Vera Fellows Program, 2008 – Gender Studies Faculty, 2014 – Honors Program Faculty, 2010 – Associate Professor of Anthropology, John Jay College, CUNY, 2003 – 2007 Education Ph.D., Anthropology, City University of New York, Graduate Center, 1990 Dissertation: Aspects of Street Addict Life M.A., Anthropology, Columbia University, 1981 B.A., Major in Psychology; Minor in Education, New York University, 1973 Research and Teaching Interests Urban Anthropology: Poverty and policy issues related to destitution, homelessness and substance abuse, health, welfare and criminal justice Socio-cultural, political-economic and psychological aspects of displacement, diasporas, structural and political violence, and war Human consequences of structural, political and systemic violence and inequality at the intersection of gender, race, ethnicity and class Memory and Memorialization Anthropology of Affect Practicing, Public and Engaged Anthropology Writing Anthropology; Scholarly Publishing Fieldsites: Eastern Europe/Poland; Republic of Georgia; United States Alisse Waterston CV: Page 1 of 20 Books Waterston, Alisse and Maia Barkaia (eds.), Gender in Georgia: Feminist Perspectives on Culture, Nation and History in the South Caucasus. New York: Berghahn Books, forthcoming, October 2017. Waterston, Alisse, My Father’s Wars: Migration, Memory and the Violence of a Century. New York and London: Routledge Series on Innovative Ethnographies, 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • Alisse Waterston, Ph.D. September 2013 [email protected]
    Alisse Waterston, Ph.D. September 2013 CURRICULUM VITAE Alisse Waterston, Ph.D. [email protected] Areas of Specialty: Socio-cultural, political-economic and psychological aspects of displacement, diasporas, structural and political violence, and war; Eastern Europe/Poland; Urban poverty and policy issues in the US related to destitution, homelessness and substance abuse, health, welfare and criminal justice; Inequality and its consequences. Taken together, all of my work focuses on the human consequences of structural, political and systemic violence and inequality at the intersection of gender, race, ethnicity and class. Current Position: Professor of Anthropology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Academic Background and Experiences: Ph.D. in Anthropology, CUNY Graduate Center. Undergraduate and graduate level teaching includes Introduction to Anthropology, Theories and Representations of the Inner City: Urban Poverty in the U.S., Culture and Crime, The Anthropology of Health and Healing, American Cultural Pluralism and Law, Women Cross- Culturally, Remembering the Pasts of Others, Vera Institute of Justice Seminar, Leadership and the Common Good, Applied Anthropology, and Research Methods. Author of the innovative ethnography, My Father’s Wars: Migration, Memory and the Violence of a Century. Co-Editor with Maria Vesperi of Anthropology Off the Shelf: Anthropologists on Writing, and Editor of An Anthropology of War: Views from the Frontline. Author of two scholarly books on urban poverty in the
    [Show full text]
  • The End/S of Anthropology American Anthropological Association • 108Th Annual Meeting December 2–6, 2009 • Philadelphia, PA
    The End/s of Anthropology American Anthropological Association • 108th Annual Meeting December 2–6, 2009 • Philadelphia, PA Preliminary Program 2009 PRELIMINARY PROGRAM COUNTDOWN TO PHILADELPHIA 108th AAA Annual Meeting | December 2–6, 2009 | Philadelphia Marriott Downtown The End/s of Anthropology John L Jackson, Jr to study several places at once, or to engage Executive Program Cochair phenomena spread out over large expanses Preliminary Program Contents in ways that outstrip any individual ethnogra- Deborah Thomas pher’s ability to experience them directly and Countdown to Philadelphia 2 Executive Program Cochair holistically. There is ongoing debate about the needs for depth versus breadth, and how General Information 4 The schedule is finally set for this year’s AAA shifting the scope, scale and focus of one’s conference in Philadelphia. In total, 3,596 inquiry might impact ethnography’s specific Meeting Highlights for Students 5 papers were submitted for consideration and contribution to the constellation of meth- 3,462 were accepted; 609 panel sessions were odological options open to social scientific Guide to Section Names 6 submitted, and we were able to schedule 561 researchers. Conference submissions seemed of them, including the panel sessions that particularly interested in these themes, which SCHEDULE section editors put together from individu- complicate the ethnographic project in fasci- ally volunteered papers. We received fasci- nating ways. Wednesday, Dec 2 6 nating submissions, and we are very excited After seeing the papers and panels that about the kinds of conversations we will have constitute this year’s meeting program, we Thursday, Dec 3 14 in December.
    [Show full text]
  • Conducting Ethnographic Research in the Archives
    CONDUCTING ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH IN THE ARCHIVES: MAPPING THE ACTIVIST AND ARTISTIC SUBJECTIVITIES OF FRANK LAPENA A Thesis Presented to the faculty of the Department of Anthropology California State University, Sacramento Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in Anthropology by Valerie Marie Garcia FALL 2014 © 2014 Valerie Marie Garcia ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii CONDUCTING ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH IN THE ARCHIVES: MAPPING THE ACTIVIST AND ARTISTIC SUBJECTIVITIES OF FRANK LAPENA A Thesis by Valerie Marie Garcia Approved by: __________________________________, Committee Chair Terri A. Castaneda, Ph.D. __________________________________, First Reader Liam D. Murphy, Ph.D. ____________________________ Date iii Student: Valerie Garcia I certify that this student has met the requirements for format contained in the University format manual, and that this thesis is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to be awarded for the thesis. __________________________, Graduate Coordinator ___________________ Jacob L. Fisher, Ph.D. Date Department of Anthropology iv Abstract of CONDUCTING ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH IN THE ARCHIVES: MAPPING THE ACTIVIST AND ARTISTIC SUBJECTIVITIES OF FRANK LAPENA by Valerie Marie Garcia Archives are critical sites for investigating intersections in contested history, for mapping the social and material landscape upon which humans engage with one another—violently, unsteadily, compassionately, creatively—and for expanding the depth of our understanding of human nature in cultural context. Personal archive collections provide a partial but focused interpretation of this history—our history—through the eyes, heart, and mind of someone who was there, struggling with it, documenting the gains, the losses, the uncertainties, the firmly entrenched obstacles in the road and the creativity with which people transcend them everyday.
    [Show full text]
  • Future Publics, Current Engagements
    2013 ANNUAL REPORT Future Publics, Current Engagements Advancing Knowledge, Solving Human Problems. EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEES AAA 2013 Linguistic Seat Section Assembly Committee on Executive Board Niko Besnier EB #2 Gender Equity in (2011–14) Ida Susser Anthropology President (2010–13) M. Gabriela Torres Leith Mullings University of (2011–13) Amsterdam Hunter College of the City University Committee for The Graduate Center Minority Seat of New York Human Rights of the City University Ana L. Aparicio Eric Johnson of New York (2010–13) AAA Treasurer-Ex Officio Committee on President-Elect/Vice Northwestern Edmund T. Hamann Labor Relations President University (2012–15) Sharryn Kasmir Monica Heller (2011–13) Practicing/ University of Professional Seat Nebraska, Lincoln Committee on University of Toronto, Alisse Waterston Minority Issues in Ontario Institute for (2010–13) AAA Committees Anthropology Studies in Education Shalini Shankar John Jay College and Chairs of the City University Secretary Committee on of New York 2013 Annual Margaret Buckner Meeting Program Practicing, Applied (2012–15) and Public Interest Student Seat Chair Missouri State Anthropology Karen G. Williams Alaka Wali University Keri Brondo (2012–15) Dana-Ain Davis The Graduate Center Committee on Section Assembly Anthropological of the City University Public Policy Convenor Communications of New York Suzanne Heurtin- Alex W. Barker Committee (2012–14) Roberts Undesignated #1 Alisse Waterston University of Missouri Gregory Button Cheryl Mwaria (2012–15) Association
    [Show full text]
  • Board Committee Documents Academic Policy, Programs And
    Proposal for a BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE WITH A MAJOR IN ANTHROPOLOGY Proposed by Department of Anthropology JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE Anticipated Implementation of Program: Fall, 2014 Governance Approvals: College Council: October 24, 2013 Undergraduate Curriculum & Academic Standards Committee: October 18, 2013 Submitted by: ________________________________________________ Dr. Jane Bowers, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………………. 2 I. Purpose and Goals ………………………………………………………………………. 3 II. Need and Justification …………………………………………………………………. 16 III. Student Interest / Enrollment ……………………………………………………….... 20 IV. Curriculum ……………………………………………………………………………. 23 V. Cost Assessment ……………………………………………………………………...... 32 VI. Evaluation and Assessment ……………………………………………………….….. 39 VII. Appendices A. Anthropology Faculty ……………………………………………………….… 42 B. Model Teaching Assignments ………………………………………………… 47 C. Course Descriptions and New Course Syllabi ……………………………….. 52 D. New York State Forms ………………………………………………………... 90 Program of Study ………………………………………………………… 96 Faculty Teaching Assignments ………………………………………….. 99 Faculty to be Hired ……………………………………………………… 105 Financial Tables ……………………………………………….………… 106 D. Letters of Support ……………………………………………………….…… 118 E. Articulation Agreement ……………………………………………………… 136 Anthropology Major: Proposal Abstract John Jay College of Criminal Justice proposes a B.A. in Anthropology that provides students thorough grounding in anthropological theories and
    [Show full text]
  • Imagining World Solidarities for a Livable Future
    kritisk etnografi – Swedish Journal of Anthropology VOL. 3, NO. 1 URN:NBN:SE:UU:DIVA-419425 Imagining World Solidarities for a Livable Future Alisse Waterston | Professor of Anthropology, City University of New York ABSTRACT In this article, I refer to Eduardo Galeano’s challenge to exercise the right to dream and call on anthropologists to couple their knowledge with fearless imagination to work on behalf of a livable future that has yet to come. Galeano’s primer for the “looking-glass world” in his book Upside Down resonates with anthropological understanding of the historical role of difference as ideological infection and on the political economic forces that reproduce the violences that make world solidarities seem so impossible. The current condition of the world, marked by a lethal pandemic, worship of weapons and militarism, racialized hatred and nationalist fervor, environmental crisis and everyday structural violence, adds urgency to the multidimensional task to confront the profound challenges facing humanity, transcend seemingly impossible impasses, and build productive connection and collaboration. Invoking an example from my life and work, I argue for synthesis as Gina Ulysse puts it, bringing together the scholar and the responsible global citizen who goes beyond producing scholarship to putting knowledge to work in an effort at sustaining the earth and its living beings. Keywords: Eduardo Galeano, violence, pandemic, imagination, solidarity Prelude in context of the Pandemic of 2020 New York, May 18: When in early February 2019, Paul Stoller invited me to contribute an article to this special collection on “The Anthropology of Wellbeing in Troubled Times,” I took the opportunity from my vantage point as an anthropologist trained and working in the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Anthropology and the Vera Fellows Program John Jay
    ALISSE WATERSTON Department of Anthropology and the Vera Fellows Program John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York 524 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-237-8956 Email: [email protected] Academic Appointments Presidential Scholar and Professor of Anthropology, John Jay College, CUNY, 2017 – Professor of Anthropology, John Jay College, CUNY, 2008 – Co-Director, Vera Fellows Program, 2014 – Co-Faculty, Vera Fellows Program, 2008 – Gender Studies Faculty, 2014 – Honors Program Faculty, 2010 – Associate Professor of Anthropology, John Jay College, CUNY, 2003 – 2007 Education Ph.D., Anthropology, City University of New York, Graduate Center, 1990 Dissertation: Aspects of Street Addict Life M.A., Anthropology, Columbia University, 1981 B.A., Major in Psychology; Minor in Education, New York University, 1973 Research and Teaching Interests Urban Anthropology: Poverty and policy issues related to destitution, homelessness and substance abuse, health, welfare and criminal justice Socio-cultural, political-economic and psychological aspects of displacement, diasporas, structural and political violence, and war Human consequences of structural, political and systemic violence and inequality at the intersection of gender, race, ethnicity and class Memory and Memorialization Anthropology of Affect Practicing, Public and Engaged Anthropology Writing Anthropology; Scholarly Publishing Fieldsites: Eastern Europe/Poland; Republic of Georgia; United States Alisse Waterston CV: Page 1 of 20 Books Waterston, Alisse and Maia Barkaia (eds.), Gender in Georgia: Feminist Perspectives on Culture, Nation and History in the South Caucasus. New York: Berghahn Books, 2017. Waterston, Alisse, My Father’s Wars: Migration, Memory and the Violence of a Century. New York and London: Routledge Series on Innovative Ethnographies, 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • It Would Be Something Fine If We Could Learn How to Bless the Lives of Children
    “It would be something fine if we could learn how to bless the lives of children. They are the people of new life. Children are the only people nobody can blame. They are the only ones always willing to make a start; they have no choice. Children are the ways the world begin again and again.” -- June Jordan As scholars of education, history, psychology, sociology, and various other academic fields and disciplines, we unequivocally denounce the policies and practices that separate immigrant families, particularly children from primary care givers. We are also educators and (many of us) state employees who carry the charge to serve and advocate for children and families in the states where we work as faculty and to support the development of a healthy generation of young people, more broadly. Our peers, and indeed several of us in this letter, have written to you, offering you evidence of why the unconscionable practice of separating children from their parents and caregivers, accompanying adults, and guardians at the border is not only unsound practice but also untenable.1 The separation of minors from primary care givers as part of U.S. enforcement of immigration laws is unethical, immoral, and goes against all human rights conventions and laws. There is no legal doctrine that requires this, despite the falsehoods being circulated by the Trump administration. Moreover, such a practice constitutes an extreme human rights breach, as outlined by the Geneva Convention on the Rights of the Child (GCRC), placing all those who abide by it squarely on the wrong side of history.2 Even though the US is the only country that has not signed onto the GCRC, this does not mean that we are exempt from international human rights law and the moral imperative it carries.
    [Show full text]
  • Migration, Memory, and the Violence<?Brk?>
    AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST BOOK REVIEWS Single Reviews Creating a Nation with Cloth: Women, Wealth, and Tradition in the Tongan Diaspora by Ping-Ann Addo New York: Berghahn, 2013. 252 pp. DOI: 10.1111/aman.12380 Tongan culture and New Zealand political economy” (p. 72) and struggle with poor job opportunities, they nevertheless Susanne Kuehling “occupy a critical position in the facilitation of global flows University of Regina and guarantee the everyday and ceremonial sustenance of their families.” This book connects discourses on value, gender, and tex- Chapter 3 presents three case studies that take a close tile wealth and demonstrates how they relate to notions look at the real-life pressures and strategies, the emo- of nationhood and home. There are now at least as many tions and considerations, and the skills and shortcomings of Tongans in the diaspora as there are in Tonga itself, and today’s handling of koloa in multiterritorial Tonga. Family family ties form an ethnoscape marked by “Tongan” prac- events, although burdensome, provide a stage for “fluidiar- tices of gift giving. Ping-Ann Addo’s multisited research in ity” (Teaiwa 2005), “creating contexts for solidarity that also Tonga and with Tongan families in New Zealand and the incorporate fluidity between multiple social roles and social United States discusses the ways in which Tongan com- situations” (p. 115). moner women, especially second-generation migrants, lead In chapter 4, the notion of love (‘ofa) is foregrounded as Tonga’s modernity as a multiterritorial nation, creating and a motherly, womanly virtue that morphs into the textile, in- exchanging gifts and investing in the “creative possibilities in creasing its value together with the life events that mark the this tension between movement and dwelling” (p.
    [Show full text]