Beyond the boundary : Conflict, Violence and the Social Reconstruction of Ethnic Identity in a Multicultural Dutch Neighbourhood
| dc.contributor.advisor | Kramsch, O.T. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Groen, Josse J.H. | |
| dc.date.issued | 2012-07 | |
| dc.description.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. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2571 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.thesis.faculty | Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen | en_US |
| dc.thesis.specialisation | Bachelor Geografie, Planologie en Milieu | en_US |
| dc.thesis.studyprogramme | Bachelor Geografie, Planologie en Milieu | en_US |
| dc.thesis.type | Bachelor | en_US |
| dc.title | Beyond the boundary : Conflict, Violence and the Social Reconstruction of Ethnic Identity in a Multicultural Dutch Neighbourhood | en_US |
Files
Original bundle
1 - 1 of 1