Caribbean Journal of Psychology: Vol. 6, Issue 1, 2014 1 Afro-Caribbean People in China: Away from Home and at Home with Self C. Jama Adams John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York Abstract Migration, both involuntary and voluntary, is one of the defining characteristics of the peoples of the Caribbean. Historically the traditions of storytelling, oral and written, have been used to convey a sense of the psychological dimensions of Caribbean migration. There is however a dearth of formal research on the subjectivities of Afro-Caribbean migrants. The current paper melds first persons’ narratives with psychological theories to present a preliminary exploration of the reflective and self-improvement activities of Afro-Caribbean migrants in mainland China. Thirteen Afro- Caribbean migrants participated in semi-structured interviews. Results indicated that successful migrants were able to maintain a stance of adaptive ambivalence that allows them to integrate features of both cultures to promote self-development within the contexts of varied constraints. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed in the conclusion. Key words: China, migration, Afro-Caribbean, psychoanalysis, self-projects Afro-Caribbean People in China: Away from Home and at Home with Self “What Cathay shores for them are gleaming golden what magic keys they carry to unlock what golden endragoned doors?” (Braithwaite, 1973, p. 52). China is undergoing rapid and profound changes that, in turn, make it an attractive location for a range of immigrants across the labour spectrum including traders, students and technically-skilled and creative types (Bodomo, 2010a, 2010b, 2012; Skeldon, 2012). For some Africana immigrants, China is an attractive site to address themes related to self- development, such as rediscovery, reinvention and renewal of the self; to develop a different life trajectory which is a process facilitated by geographic mobility. The current paper is an initial attempt to understand the psychosocial experiences surrounding self- development and identity construction of Afro-Caribbean migrants in China, with a view to generating themes for further research. The migrant in China is partially embraced by the host country because of the cognitive and creative skills he can offer even as he faces obstacles to becoming fully integrated into the culture. As the current research will show, many of the Africana

Afro-Caribbean People in China: Away from Home and at Home with Self

Download PDF Report

Upload
africachina
View
3
Download
0

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

EXCERPT

Citation preview

Page 1: Afro-Caribbean People in China: Away from Home and at Home with Self

Caribbean Journal of Psychology: Vol. 6, Issue 1, 2014

Afro-Caribbean People in China: Away from Home and at Home with Self C. Jama Adams John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York

Abstract

Migration, both involuntary and voluntary, is one of the defining characteristics of the peoples of the Caribbean. Historically the traditions of storytelling, oral and written, have been used to convey a sense of the psychological dimensions of Caribbean migration. There is however a dearth of formal research on the subjectivities of Afro-Caribbean migrants. The current paper melds first persons’ narratives with psychological theories to present a preliminary exploration of the reflective and self-improvement activities of Afro-Caribbean migrants in mainland China. Thirteen Afro-Caribbean migrants participated in semi-structured interviews. Results indicated that successful migrants were able to maintain a stance of adaptive ambivalence that allows them to integrate features of both cultures to promote self-development within the contexts of varied constraints. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed in the conclusion. Key words: China, migration, Afro-Caribbean, psychoanalysis, self-projects

Afro-Caribbean People in China: Away from Home and at Home with Self

“What Cathay shores for them are gleaming golden what magic keys they carry to unlock what golden endragoned doors?” (Braithwaite, 1973, p. 52). China is undergoing rapid and profound changes that, in turn, make it an attractive

location for a range of immigrants across the labour spectrum including traders, students and technically-skilled and creative types (Bodomo, 2010a, 2010b, 2012; Skeldon, 2012). For some Africana immigrants, China is an attractive site to address themes related to self-development, such as rediscovery, reinvention and renewal of the self; to develop a different life trajectory which is a process facilitated by geographic mobility. The current paper is an initial attempt to understand the psychosocial experiences surrounding self-development and identity construction of Afro-Caribbean migrants in China, with a view to generating themes for further research.

The migrant in China is partially embraced by the host country because of the cognitive and creative skills he can offer even as he faces obstacles to becoming fully integrated into the culture. As the current research will show, many of the Africana