New hierarchies of belonging

Back, Les; Shamser, Sinha and Charlynne, Bryan. 2012. New hierarchies of belonging. European Journal of Cultural Studies, 15(2), pp. 139-154. ISSN 1367-5494 [Article]

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Abstract or Description

The article discusses the effects that the debate about the ‘crisis of multiculturalism’ is having on the regulation, scrutiny and the surveillance of migrant communities. Through the story of a young migrant it explores the ways that old hierarchies of belonging are taking new forms within the social landscape of contemporary London. This biographical case study is drawn from a larger qualitative study of 30 young adult migrants. Although the article focuses on a single case, its arguments are informed by the larger sample. The article argues that the debate about population mobility needs to transcend the ‘migrancy problematic’ and identify how the ordering of humanity works in a globalized and neo-liberal context. Combining insights from Stuart Hall’s recent writings and Franz Fanon’s lesser-known essays, the article argues that new hierarchies of belonging are established that replay aspects of colonial racism but in a form suited to London’s postcolonial situation.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1177/1367549411432030

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Sociology

Dates:

DateEvent
April 2012Published

Item ID:

9015

Date Deposited:

09 Oct 2013 08:10

Last Modified:

04 Jul 2017 14:10

Peer Reviewed:

Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/9015

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