Beyond the boundary : Conflict, Violence and the Social Reconstruction of Ethnic Identity in a Multicultural Dutch Neighbourhood
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2012-07
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en
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Abstract
At New Year’s eve 2009-2010, riots occurred between Moluccan and Moroccan ethnic groups
in the Dutch multicultural neighbourhood Terweijde in Culemborg. The news reports in the
newspapers were not very nuanced and some (The Telegraaf 5-1-10; NRC Handelsblad 5-1-
10) even called these happenings ‘race-riots’. This poststructuralist research utilize these
happenings as a case study in order to examine how binaries can lead to conflict and violence
and how these discourses subsequently shape the reconstruction of ethnic identity. Ethnic
identity needs to be treated within the context of circumstances and surroundings. This
research will state that ethnic identity is dynamic, shaped through discursive discourses and
defined by the flexible, vague but at the same time solid perceived boundaries constructed by
their ethnic members. These boundaries are perceived as ‘fixed’ by the ones defining them,
but should be regarded as ‘fluid’. The aim of this research is to undermine this ‘fixed’
perception of ethnic identity though deconstructing the boundaries and to reveal the interplay
of the ‘us/them’ binary within the context of Moluccan and Moroccan identities in the
neighbourhood of Terweijde in Culemborg. Therefore, this research is divided in three parts.
Part I will provide an introduction into the conflict and the boundary. It is a treatise in which
the purposes – analytical study regarding boundaries and the effects of conflict and violence
on the social reconstruction of ethnic identity – and the social and scientific value – a ‘beyond
the boundary’ attitude would be highly relevant in today’s society – of this research will be
scrutinized. Because of the constructivist (ethnic identity is socially constructed) and antiessentialist
character of this research, scrutinized in the theoretical framework – taken-forgranted
and/or a-priori perceptions on ethnic identity will be criticised or at least avoided. It is
neither the aim to judge or to give some kind of ‘definite’ alternative: instead it is highly
suspicious for claims like these. Part II is a qualitative study which put part I in practice. It
will first treat the ethnic narratives of Moluccan and Moroccan ethnic identity. Subsequently,
it will analyse how ethnic members construct boundaries and finally it will reveal the
interplay between these ‘members’ by looking beyond the boundary. Part III is the final part
of this thesis, in which the findings of part I and II are put in practice through a case-study of
the riots between Moluccan and Moroccan youth in Terweijde, Culemborg especially during
New Years Eve 2009-2010. The border-production process will be scrutinized. I will
conclude with an emphasise on the interconnectedness of ethnic identity in the Netherlands.
Indeed, the opening quote could also be the last sentence of this research.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen