TRANSGRESSING BOUNDARIES OF IZZAT: VOICES OF SECOND-GENERATION PUNJABI WOMEN SURVIVING AND TRANSGRESSING “HONOUR’ RELATED VIOLENCE IN CANADA by Mandeep Kaur Mucina A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy Leadership, Higher and Adult Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Mandeep Kaur Mucina 2015 Transgressing Boundaries Of Izzat: Voices Of Punjabi Women Surviving And Transgressing “Honour” Related Violence In Canada Mandeep Kaur Mucina Doctorate of Philosophy Graduat Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education University of Toronto 2015 Abstract This study is an act of witnessing second-generation Punjabi women who have survived displacement/excommunication/exile from their family and/or community after transgressing boundaries of izzat. Izzat is a cultural construct that holds particular importance in the Punjabi community of Northern India and is translated into English as meaning “honour”. The life histories collected in this study are a result of in-depth interviews through narrative inquiry with 5 second-generation Punjabi women living across Canada. The women’s stories speak to the complexities of “honour” related violence in the West, they challenge the dominant discourses that frame family violence in South Asian communities, and they allow the reader to hear how they resisted/reclaimed izzat while challenging/surviving layers of heteropatriarchy, violence and racism throughout their lives. This study aims at shifting dominant discourses that use “honour” related violence as a tool to justify Orientalism/war and cultural racism towards South Asian bodies and it does so through the use of stories. Critical race theory, post-structural feminist theory and narrative inquiry are the lens through which the central question is asked, how can second-generation Punjabi women’s voices be heard and contribute to change inside their families and community, while challenging dominant discourses surrounding “honour” related violence? As the researcher, my story and autoethnographic voice is layered throughout the writing and I share my own story of displacement/exile/excommunication throughout this ii study. In order to understand the history of izzat and violence in the Punjabi community I conduct a genealogy of izzat and trace its development from Northern India to Canada, from a system of morality to a tool of violence against women. Finally, action research informs the final aim of this study. The women gathered and created a piece of collective writing to raise critical consciousness in the Punjabi community, as well as in dominant Canadian society, about the impact of izzat on their lives. Their words and action push us to question how we engage with violence in our communities and instill the importance of listening to young second- generation women’s voices and stories of everyday survival against racism, colonialism and heteropatriarchy. iii Acknowledgments This has been a long journey. It has been 10 years since I “left” a placed I called home. From the moment, I left I have been anxious for a connection to others who share my sorrow. To connect the chain of stories that circle this “cage” that I find myself in every now and then. This research and writing could not have been possible if I did not meet all the incredible women who shared their stories and spent numerour hours with me. There is a kindred connection that I will carry with me for the rest of my life and I open these acknowledgements with my gratitude to the sister’s that joined this journey with me. Your generosity in sharing will be witnessed by many and I know these stories will impact many young girls and women who find they are struggling with izzat, family and community. I am the first of the Bhalru and Dual clan to get this far in post-secondary education. I sit on the shoulders of my ancestors whose wisdom filters through my blood and bones, they may not have had the years of education that I have now, but their knowledge of the world has taught me how to survive. My achievements in the academic world are laregely shaped by my mentors, teachers, and educators. My diligent, patient and, brilliant supervisor, Dr. Bonnie Burstow, has witnessed this journey and I have such incredible respect for her dedication to her students. Every one of us feel so lucky to have Bonnie as our supervisor because she plays so many roles, including confidant and guide, and she inspires us to to act in the face of inequity and injustice. Thank you Bonnie. My time at OISE has been filled with wonderful conversations and incredible women who have taught me how to write, research, and how to keep the spirit in my work. Thank you Dr. Njoki Wane, Dr. Ruapleem Bhuyan, and Dr. Angela Miles for your guidance, and for your commitment to my scholarly work. Your thoughts and feedback has followed me through this writing journey and I am so grateful for your scholarship. Dr. Mythili Rajiva, thank you for your guidance in editing my dissertation and your very important revisions that have made my work stronger. There are so many friends and family members that have shared hugs, warm words, and encouragement and were there when I dreaded waking up at 4:30am every morning to write this iv dissertation. Suzanne Vonderporten, Lucy McCullough and Severn Cullis-Suzuki you are my soul sisters and I thank you for always being on the other end of the phone when I needed to, either take a break, or to vent. Cindy Knapton and Sandra Schnare your edits saved me, as did your laughter and spirit. Sheila Batacharya, your guidance in this process has been my light at the end of the tunnel and you will probably never know how much your dissertation saved me when I lost sight of things. And finally, to the wonderful thesis support group, I always looked forward to the monthly meetings, even through skype; I could feel your support and encouragement and I hope I can pass on that same energy to you all as you go forward in your dissertation journeys. My family has always played an integral role in my life and no less of a role in this dissertation. They do not always know or understand what I am doing, writing, or why I ask the questions that I do, but I am grateful for the wisdom that I gain from them. My mother, grandmother, aunties, and cousins are the women who taught me about feminism resistance, and womens Shakti and I am proud to demonstrate that power and strength here. My brother, father and, uncles demonstrate their love and care in silent ways, yet I have felt their prescence and faith in me as I write, research and, teach. I know they have my back. I need to thank my sister individually because without her I may not have survived many traumas in my life. She is my “jaan” which is a Punjabi word for heart, but this translation does not capture the meaning that I am trying to convey. Sanjit Kaur Bhalru, you have been my sidekick even before you were born, because we have been connected before this life and I feel like the luckiest person to have your friendship, love and, prescence in this life as I have in many before this one. I am so grateful to my best friend/partner/soulmate Devi Dee Mucina for his encouragement and support over these years. From the day we met he has been whispering beautiful words in my ear convincing me that I am capable of this work, for that I am forever grateful. It was your faith in me that I turned to in those many hours that I was unsure I could carry on writing and working. I love you. Lastly, I have to acknowledge my two wonderful children who have been the grounding force every single day they have been in my life. Khumalo you were born after I submitted my v proposal and you were there on my lap as I read articles, and waiting for me when I came home from conducting interviews, each and every time you embraced me with your lovely smiling eyes. Nandi, you were born as I started writing this dissertation and I have thought of what this will mean for you when you pick this up one day in the far future. You have wisdom in you that is years beyond you and your determination makes me proud. Thank you both for coming in my world while I was completing this degree, it could not have been the worst timing, yet also the best timing. You teach me so much about my capacities and about the world everyday. I love you. Finally, I dedicate this dissertation to the women across the world that have passed before us as a result of “honour”, izzat and, gender based violence. Your stories live in us and we will remember what you have taught us after your passing. Thank you. vi Table of Contents Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................ vii Glossary of Terms ................................................................................................................................. x List of Figures ....................................................................................................................................... xi List of Appendices .............................................................................................................................. xii Chapter 1 ................................................................................................................................................. 1 Ghar Dhi Izzat: