Representation Essay

Question 1

Essay Question

Answer 1

How the problem of representation is dealt with by anthropologists in ethnographical work

Question 2

Essay Plan

Answer 2

Introduction; Ilana Gershon and Samoans; Problems with Migration/Integration; Muslims in France; Further problems of Representaion: Embera, Arawete, Ipila; Ethnographic Problems; Resistance, Crisis of Representation; Dangers of Misrepresentation; Role of Anthropology

Question 3

Introduction

Answer 3

I will focus on Gershons Ethnography about Samoans who are loosing cultural identity, migrants trying to fit in
Concentrate on them but elaborate with different examples
Conclude on why representation is important and role of anthropologist

Question 4

Ilana Gershon and Samoans

Answer 4

Multicited ethnography shifts between personal, familial, local and international (globalisation), information from interviews, observation, also government documents
Samoan migrants are torn between cultures, olbiged to contribute to fa’alavelave, and church conversions (Gershon, 2012)
Samoans represent themselfs and construct culture, government officials attempt to construct culture, Samoan have to chose between acultural and cultural

Question 5

Problems with Migration/Integration

Answer 5

Challenges of immigrant communities without resorting to cliches of assimilation, Try to teach them the American way, but it is rejection of Samoan culture, difficult considering pride, cultural disadvantage
Typically first generation migrants send money back (Schoeffel, 2012), but children problems, don’t report needs, secrecy
Other capitalist integration problems such as Ipila in Papua New Guinea, mining company, jobs, but bride price and family pressures, no better off (Lewellen, 2002)

Question 6

Muslims in France

Answer 6

Shifts in responsibility from stage agencies to civil societies
Compare to French government of Muslim representatives, want to be in global Muslim community but satisfy French demands for conformity, create new French domesticated Islam?
immigrants adapt or nation re-examine?Actions of conformity (Bowen, 2004)

Question 7

Further Problems of Representation

Answer 7

Problems with Samoan representing their own culture, idea of leader not beyond family
Embera successfully intergrate and represent, (Kane, 1986)
Representatives is requirement, but not possible, (Arawete) (Vivieros de Castro, 1992)
Sometimes can be very bad, (Ipila in Papua New Guinea (Jacka, 2005)

Question 8

Resistance, Crisis of Repressentation

Answer 8

Ortner (1995), enthnographicly thin studies around resistance , not Holism, White says peasant collaboration is also important
Strategies of resisting globalisation, from below ‘grassroots globalisation’, to create new interactions (Appaduria, 2001)
Should apply to migration

Question 9

Ethnographic Problems

Answer 9

Just’s defence of studying rural for complete picture (Just, 2000)
Opposite of Gershon, leave out point of vie from home

Question 10

Dangers of Misrepresentation

Answer 10

Ethnographically thin, understanding cultural richness, better understanding of limits. Crisis of representation and portraying others truthfully create blackhole
Excluding voices is dangerous as texts have power

Question 11

Role of Anthropology

Answer 11

Important and useful to get understanding, but most important is not to get it wrong
Gershon is reflexive which is good, recommended to be used for officials (Schoeffel, 2012)