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Black, White and In-Between: Affective and Emotional Facets of Performing Diversity in ‘Tiny Publics'
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2013-08-31
Author(s)
Abstract
The paper is concerned with the affective and emotional facets of belonging to, living in and relationally identifying with groups on the campus of a historically white South African university. It focuses on the transformation of student residences, initiated by institutional efforts aimed at increasing the ‘racial’ diversity. The corresponding population categories, however, intersect with a ‘hinterland’ of other relational and categorical identifications and self-understandings, the inclusion or exclusion of which in/from the explicitly acknowledged notion of diversity is negotiated locally within the ‘tiny publics’ (cf. Fine & Harrington) and established idiocultures of the groups. These groups are not understood to be ‘generic’ interaction vessels, but spaces for the creation of shared meaning and collective action that are connected to local traditions and histories. Three facets will be analysed: a) What are the affective and emotional dimensions of becoming a member of and identifying with the group? b) What are the affective and emotional qualities at stake when the group culture and the corresponding identifications (are about to) change? c) How do students negotiate intersecting but conflicting identifications and self-understandings: What is at stake for individuals to (openly) deviate from or comply with cultural expectations of the group? The paper explores these issues through narrative interviews with students living in residences on the university campus. The narratives will be read in context of the students’ socio-cultural backgrounds, as these have historically been influential in shaping the group cultures.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SHSS - Kulturen, Institutionen, Maerkte (KIM)
Refereed
No
Event Title
11th Conference of the European Sociological Association (ESA)
Event Location
Turino, Italy
Event Date
28.-31.08.2013
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
232806