Exile a N D National Identity

EXILE AND NATIONAL IDENTITY Chilean Women in Canada Monica Escobar A thesis submitted in conforniity with the requirements for the degree of Wtor of Philosophy Department of Adult Education, Community Development and Counseling Psyc hology Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto O Copyright by Monica Escobar (2000) National Library Bibliothèque nationale du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. rue Wellington OnawaON KlAON4 OltawaON KlAW Canada Canada Our 61i. 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Exile and National Identity: Chilean Wornen in Canada Degree of Doctor of Philosophy year 3000 Mon ica Escobar Department of Adult Education/Community Developmentl Counseling Psychology Ontario Insti tute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto ABSTRACT This research is about exile and national identity as reconstructed and narrated by women twenty years or more after having moved into exile. The analysis is based on the life histories of ten Chilean women, plus myself, living in Toronto, Canada. Their stories provide an excellent opportunity to problematize hegemonic and universalizing categories that tend to exclude or silence the experience and narratives of marginal groups. Based on in-depth interviews this study addresses the following questions: How these refugee women experience and perceive the 'imagined community' called nation? What happens when 'bodies', such as these Chilean women, cross borders as refugees? How does their involvement in different social spaces in Canada - social, linguistic. and ethnic communities - enter into their sense of national and gender identity? The study describes and explains how constructions of national identities have disadvantaged these Chilean women in both their country of birth and the country of asyIum. Touching upon different features of their life history 1 map out how they construct home, community and nation from the perspective of the various spaces they occupy. The inequalities concealed in the vision of a common nationhood collide with women's sense of belonging - or being in a place that is understood to be 'home'. I argue in this thesis that these women in exile inhabit a space 'in between', a space that in territorial terrns does not coincide with one particular country but faIls in between two or more countries. With regard to the production of knowledge wornen's experience of this 'in between' space can be seen to provide a view that is situated between the global and more generalized views on 'nation' and 'national identity', commonly found in dominant discourses, and the localized singular and more specific views of those lacking this 'in between' experience. Lending voice to this lived experience provides for a more fluid representation of the concept. Exiled women's relationships with both countnes are based on different and con fl icting loyal ties, mernories and expectations. Three features appear particulad y important. Mernories about their past (from childhood to young adulthood) result in a longing for their homeland. At the sarne time, Chile (as a nation) is king subjected to a political critique. Secondly, Canada's politics of integration and a social structure of race, class and gender relations impact upon their life in this country. This forces them to negotiate and construct an identity that is viable. Finally, the duration of exile adds new uncertainties and dilemmas regarding women's life. The anaIysis points to the dialectical tension of having a disaggregated or diasporic identity, being partially Chilean and partially from the new surroundings. Thus 'nation', as a temtorial and imagined community, once an important reference point and force in the lives of these exiled women - particularly during the days of their involvement with the national political project of Unidad Popular Aoes not play much of a role in their sense of identity and belonging. Other communities and forms of attachments have emerged from their new locations including projects that give ethical meaning to their life. ACKNOMZEDGEMENTS This doctorai study has been a Iong, difficult journey the completion of which depended in great part on intellectual, emotional and economic support from people around me. 1 am deeply gratefd to the women refugees from Chile whose interest in this study and willingness to share their lives with me provided me with the opportunity to carry out this research. I hope that I did justice to their stories and that it contributes to a better understanding of the condition of women living in exile and post exile. My deep gratitude goes dso to Kari DehIi for taking up the role of supervisor at a critical moment of my thesis when 1 was in doubt whether or not I should continue. For more than a year she gave me her undivided attention, showing arnazing ability to read my mind and hem. She gave me her unreserved support, trusting my jud,oment an enriching my thesis with her cornments and inspiring advice. 1 owe a very special debt to my teacher Katheleen Rockhill with whom 1 started this thesis project. Her encouragement to explore areas of personal and political interest led me to a research design that was meaningful to me. I have benefited from her teaching and guidance, particularly from her critical approach CO the various qualitative researc h methodoIogies. My thanks go also to Daniel Schugurensky and Shahrzad Mojab, members of my cornmittee, for their challenges, insights and encouragement. I have been especially blessed with the support of my friends Marlinda Freire, Beatriz Cordero and Gabriela Bravo, their caring, interest and solidarity throughout this undertaking kept me going. Finally, 1 like to mention my immediate family. My daughter Marcela Fajardo and my son Matias Fajardo expressed great pride in me doing this thesis, and furtherrnore showed understanding of my work schedule that did not allow me aIways to be with them when required. Particularly important for me has ken the support of Hubert Campfens, my partner, who sustained me al1 along the way as I struggled with this project. fis help was emotional and intellectual, providing me with a sounding board for my ideas and always respecting rny views as a woman. His academic rigor and attentive listening made this thesis richer. Thanks to him this thesis has never ken a lonel y project. TABLE OF CONTENTS .. ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ il ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iv CHAITER 1...................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1 Chi lean Diaspora: Exiles, Post-Exiles or Refugees? ....................................................... 7 Auto-Biographical Notes ............................................................................................... 10 The Movement for National Reconstruction and A Rude Awakening ..................... 11 My Exposure to Nationalism in Quebec (L974-83)and Peru (1983-90).................. 12 The Move to Toronto (1990) and Experience with Ethnic National Identi ties ......... 13 .. Thesis Organization ....................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER 2 ...................................................................................................................... 15 LITERATURE REVIEW .................................. ,, ............... 15 QUE CUENTA LA LITERATURA ................................................................................. 15 What is a Nation? ..................................... .................................................................. 16 Nation as a Constructed Category ............................................................................ 19 Nation and State ......................... .. ........................................................................... 23 The World Geography and the Problem of Spatial Division .................................. 27 Common Sense Assumptions about People's Ties to a Temtory ............................. 29 The Construction of National Identity: Exiles and Diaspora ........................................ 31 Exarnining Ethnicity, Race, Nation, Class and Gender Identity ................................... 37 Race, Ethnicity and Nation .......................................................................................

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