Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 10-4-2018 An Alternative Narrative of Integration In Germany through an Ethnographic Exploration of Cuban Immigration Ana M. Rusch Florida International University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Part of the Human Geography Commons, Latin American Studies Commons, Migration Studies Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Rusch, Ana M., "An Alternative Narrative of Integration In Germany through an Ethnographic Exploration of Cuban Immigration" (2018). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3918. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3918 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida AN ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVE OF INTEGRATION IN GERMANY THROUGH AN ETHNOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF CUBAN IMMIGRATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in GLOBAL AND SOCIOCULTURAL STUDIES By Ana Mary Rusch 2018 To: Dean John F. Stack, Jr. Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs This dissertation, written by Ana Mary Rusch, and entitled An Alternative Narrative of Integration in Germany through an Ethnographic Exploration of Cuban Integration, having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment. We have read this dissertation and recommend that it be approved. ____________________________ Astrid Arraras ____________________________ Jorge Duany ____________________________ Benjamin Smith ____________________________ Guillermo Grenier, Major Professor Date of Defense: October 4, 2018 The dissertation of Ana Mary Rusch is approved. ____________________________ Dean John F. Stack, Jr. Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs ____________________________ Andrés G. Gil Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Dean of the University Graduate School Florida International University, 2018 ii © Copyright 2018 by Ana Mary Rusch All rights reserved. iii DEDICATION This dissertation was inspired by my amazing mother Lilian. I dedicate this dissertation to her and my wonderful family; My grandparents Nieves and Miguel, my aunts Sandra and Ana, and my sister Yilyen. Everything I am and all that I have accomplished is because of you all. Thank you for your infinite love, encouragement, and for always believing in me. I am forever thankful. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank my committee from the bottom of my heart for their unwavering support, patience, and reassurance. I am eternally grateful. Dr. Benjamin Smith and Dr. Astrid Arraras inspired me as undergraduate student and encouraged me throughout every single step in my graduate career. Dr. Jorge Duany always had his door open for me and ready to give the best advice and help. Finally, I want to thank my major professor Dr. Guillermo Grenier who was paramount in my success. Even from my first day as a graduate student as I sat in his office lost and nervous, he saw my potential and guided me ever since with never- ending humor, reassurance, and support. I also wish to thank the Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies at Florida International University. It is a privilege and an honor to be a part of this department that pushes for excellence and encourages the best in its students. I have grown not only as an academic but as a person because of this department. It gifted me the freedom to explore my academic interests, the resources to find success both as an academic and as a professional, and the highest level of inspiration. v ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION AN ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVE OF INTEGRATION IN GERMANY THROUGH AN ETHNOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF CUBAN INTEGRATION by Ana Mary Rusch Florida International University, 2018 Miami, Florida Professor Guillermo Grenier, Major Professor This ethnographic study on Cuban immigrants in Germany explored the dynamics of integration through an understudied population. Most of the research conducted on integration in Germany has been on Turkish immigrants, Germany’s majority immigrant group. To contribute to Integration Studies, this research focused on a minority and lesser studied immigrant group, Cuban immigrants. Cuban immigrants in Germany not only have a different historical and geopolitical relationship with Germany than its majority group but they also subscribe to different cultural and ethnoreligious categories. Because of these varying circumstances, Cubans act as a counterexample to the majority immigrant group, creating an alternative narrative to integration in Germany. This dissertation addressed the methodology used in this study, explored the complexity of identity, examined German immigration and integration policies, reviewed the Cuban diaspora in the United States and globally, and presented an ethnography of Cuban integration in Germany. Effectively contributing to not only Integration Studies but also to Cuban Diaspora Studies, and Identity Studies. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................1 Background ................................................................................................................1 Research Questions ....................................................................................................3 Overview of the Dissertation .....................................................................................4 II. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................6 Selection of Berlin, Germany as Field Site ................................................................6 Qualitative Research ..................................................................................................7 Recruitment ..............................................................................................................10 Sampling ..................................................................................................................11 Interviews .................................................................................................................13 Focus Groups ...........................................................................................................16 Navigating the Interviews ........................................................................................17 Participant Observations ..........................................................................................17 Field Notes ...............................................................................................................21 Safety within the Field .............................................................................................23 Being Female in the Field ........................................................................................24 Controlling Interactions and Environment ..............................................................26 A Note on Positionality ............................................................................................28 Identity, Integration, and Self-Perception ................................................................29 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................34 III. GERMAN IDENTITY, INTEGRATION, & IMMIGRATION POLICIES & AMERICAN ASSIMILATION THEORIES ..............................................................35 The Evolution of German Identity and Nationalism ...............................................35 German Ethnonationalism and Integration ..............................................................38 Overview of Germany’s Immigration Policies ........................................................40 Overview of Germany’s Integration Policies ..........................................................44 American Assimilation Theories .............................................................................47 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................51 IV. THE CUBAN DIASPORA ...............................................................................52 The Cuban Diaspora in the United States ................................................................52 First Wave: Golden Exiles .......................................................................................54 Second Wave: Freedom Flights ...............................................................................55 Third Wave: Mariel .................................................................................................56 Fourth Wave: Rafter/Balsero Crisis and Beyond ....................................................58 Beyond the United States .........................................................................................59 The Cuban Diaspora in Spain ..................................................................................59 The Cuban Diaspora in a Global Context ................................................................62