Afrodiasporic Identities in Australia : Articulations of Blackness and Africanness

This book explores the Afro-diasporic experiences of African skilled migrants in Australia. It explores research participants' experiences of migration and how these experiences inform their lives and the lives of their family. It provides theory-based arguments examining how mainstream immigration attitudes in Australia impact upon Black African migrants through the mediums of mediatised moral panics about Black criminality and acts of everyday racism that construct and enforce their 'strangerhood'. The book presents theoretical writing on alternate African diasporic experiences and identities and the changing nature of such identities. The qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews to investigate multiple aspects of the migrant experience including employment, parenting, family dynamics and overall sense of belonging. This book advances our understanding of the resilience exercised by skilled Black African migrants as they adjust to a new life in Australia, with particular implications for social work, public health and community development practices. Foreword by Yin Paradies References Foreword by Virginia Mapedzahama Foreword by Gilbert Caluya Acknowledgements Acknowledgement of Country Contents 1 Overview of the Book An Overview of the Significance and Unique Contribution Politics of Names and Terminologies Research Study Informing This Book Analysis Author Reflexivity and Positionality Kathomi Leticia Study Limitations Overview of Chapters Chapter 2—Contextualising Afrodiasporic Cultures and Identities Chapter 3—The Politics of Blackness: Theorising Afrodiasporic Identities and Experiences Chapter 4—The Boundaries of Belonging: Misrecognition and Challenges of Representation Chapter 5—The Workplace as a Racial Battleground and Devaluation of Black Expertise Chapter 6—Families Growing Through Change: Dynamics in the Afrodiasporic Family Chapter 7—Parenting Black Children in White Spaces Chapter 8—Afro-Masculinities in an Australian Context Chapter 9—Resilient Narratives: Telling Our Stories, Our Way Chapter 10—Conclusion: A Way Forward for Policy, Practitioners and Researchers References 2 Contextualising Afrodiasporic Identities Introduction Setting the Scene: Whiteness as the Baseline Contextualising African Migration to Australia Challenges to Resettlement for Africans in Australia Emerging Afrodiasporic Identities Third Culture Identities Concluding Comments References 3 The Politics of Blackness: Theorising Afrodiasporic Identities and Experiences Introduction Theorising Afrodiasporic Migranthood Critical Race Theory Anti-Blackness Theory Racial Battle Fatigue Theory Theories of Belonging Afrocentric Theories Conclusion References 4 Boundaries of Belonging: Misrecognition and Challenges of Representation Introduction Colonial Projects and Bordering Processes The Single Story of Africa[ns]: Challenges of Representation Racialised Criminality and Moral Panics Policing the African Body Perpetual Strangerhood and Conditional Belonging Exploring Recognition and Misrecognition and Its Impacts on Racial Dignity Concluding Thoughts References 5 Devaluation of Black Expertise: The Workplace as a Racial Battleground Introduction African Migrants and Employment in Australia Racial Microaggressions in the Workplace Subtle Acts of Exclusion Microinvalidations Microinsults Racial Microburdens Discussion: Blackness as a Battleground in the Workplace Concluding Comments References 6 Families Growing Through Change: Dynamics in the Afrodiasporic Family Introduction Perspectives on Family and Intergenerational Family Dynamics Notable Shift and Changes in Gender Roles and Expectations Loss of Class Privilege and Community Networks Families Growing Through Change Discussion: Families Growing Through Change Conclusion References 7 Parenting Black Children in White Spaces Introduction Critical Race Parenting in Australia: Theoretical Considerations Parenting Black Children in White Spaces Teaching Black Children About Race and Racism Teaching Black Children About Racial Dignity and Self-Worth ‘Getting a PhD in Parenting’: Preparedness Among Parents Negotiating Western Versus African Parenting Styles Collectivist Versus Individualistic Values Role of Christian Values Intercultural Parenting—Accommodating Multiple Value Systems Discussion: Black Children in a Racialised Context Conclusion References 8 Afro-Masculinities in an Australian Context Introduction Contextualising African Masculinities in Australia Theorising Masculinities: Hegemony and Intersectionality Masculine Identity Development Reconstructing New Masculinities Through Change and Loss Alternative Masculinities Through Embracing Change Discussion: Broadened understandings of Afrodiasporic masculinities Concluding Comments References 9 Resilient Narratives: Telling Our Stories, Our Way Introduction Social Resilience Frameworks Willingness to Work Outside Existing Expertise Social Capital Through Community and Family Support Networks Religion and Faith as Protective Factors Pride in Significant Contributions to Australia Reframing the Narrative on Africans in Australia Acknowledging and Adapting to the Challenges of Migration Discussion Conclusion References 10 Conclusion: A Way Forward for Policy, Practitioners and Researchers Introduction A Summary of Key Lessons Black Africans Experience High Levels of Anti-Black Racism and Racial Indignities Black African Migrants’ Expertise Is Undervalued Within the Australian Context Cultural Diversity Does Not Translate to Belonging for Black Africans Black African Migrants Are Harmed by Negative Media and Misrepresentations Black Africans Are Resilient in the Face of Personal and Structural Challenges of Resettlement Recommendations for Policy Makers and Practitioners Afrocentric Frameworks Are Recommended to Inform Policy and Practice Recognition of the Significant Contributions of Africans in Australia Is Important Education and Recognition of the Importance of Racial and Cultural Safety Promote a Shift from Inclusion to Belonging More Research on Afrodiasporic Identities Is Necessary Where to Now? 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