Interrogating the (re)construction and (re)negotiation of black Caribbean cultural identities in the wake of Windrush scandal and white Britain.

Lead Research Organisation: Birkbeck, University of London
Department Name: Geography

Abstract

This study endeavours to understand the construction of Caribbean cultural identity amongst black British millennials - those aged between 22 and 37 years old - and how much past histories and contact with whiteness in contemporary society influences their identity. The demographic in question has been chosen because of the proliferation of "black" culture and race-related discourses, discussions and content on social media which has opened questions of "race" and racism in contemporary society.Using semi-structured interviews and discourse analysis, the study will capture aspects of Black Caribbean identity often hidden from view through the sharing of participants personal narratives, experiences and constructions of their identity. Such methodologies are useful and relevant in the attempt to interrogate how we understand (re)construction and (re)negotiation of black Caribbean identities within contemporary society.

Therefore, the aim of this research is firstly to understand what underpins constructions of Caribbean identity and what it means to be black in contemporary discourse and is this construction in relation to whiteness - consciously or subconsciously. Secondly, the research aims to explore the construction and negotiation of black Caribbean identity through the act of narration itself in the interview space. And lastly, the research aims to utilise reflexive methodologies to address the complexities of identity construction of those of African Caribbean descent who exist in a "white space".

The research question can be framed as:
To what extent are contemporary constructions of Caribbean cultural identities, by black British millennials, underpinned by histories of empire, trauma and racism. And how are these identities then negotiated within the context of whiteness in Britain?

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
ES/P000592/1 01/10/2017 30/09/2027
2606829 Studentship ES/P000592/1 01/10/2021 30/09/2025 Jamila Thompson