"All these countries are not easy” Materiality and infrastructure in the context of WestAfrican im/mobility in Europe
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2016-07-05
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en
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In this work, I analyze the im/mobility of West African migrants in and towards the European Union and try to illustrate irregular migrant’s reality in a nuanced and differentiated way. Current discussions on quota and illustrations of an alleged ‘refugee crisis’ objectify and anonymize migrants.
Taking the ‘mobility turn’ as a theoretical starting point that accounts for the various, non-linear spatial movements, I analyze the multi-dimensional interrelations of different kinds of materialities and infrastructures in regard to im/mobility. The inherent question of this analysis is their effects: are they effective in a restrictive or in a facilitating way? In how far do these change their meanings along the trajectory? Which narratives do they generate? The materialities and infrastructures that irregular migrants use and encounter often basically differ from that one that ‘ordinary EU citizens’ would use and encounter when they are mobile within the European Union. And sometimes, they are remarkably the same. The trajectory of irregular migrants takes place under a peculiar premise. Consequently, it is important to pay attention to the societal und politically precarious position of irregular migrants.
My empiric, bi-local ethnographic research in Munich and Brescia brought many new findings and insights. It has become clear that materialities like maps or jewelry are deployed for mobility and can point and shape the way. Luggage is influential on status and identity. Material infrastructures like transportation as well as immaterial infrastructures like social networks or the common European asylum system can both encourage and restrict mobility.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen