Affect, Performativity, and Chinese Diasporas in the Caribbean: Hopeful Futures

Affect, Performativity, and Chinese Diasporas in the Caribbean explores the emergence of Chinese diasporic literature and art in the Caribbean and its diasporas in the twenty-first century, proposing a textual and visual archive that challenges coloniality and proposes alternative configurations of community and belonging.

Format: Hardback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 12 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Affect, Performance, and Chinese Diasporas in the Caribbean: Hopeful Futures delves into the flourishing emergence of Chinese diasporic literature and art in the Caribbean and its diasporas in the twenty-first century. This comprehensive book explores the historical and critical discourse surrounding Chinese diasporas in the Caribbean, while also proposing a textual and visual archive that showcases contemporary works that herald a transformative shift in postcolonial literature at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Historically, Chinese minorities have often been erased or portrayed as ultimate "Others," but contemporary texts strategically employ Chinese characters and their narratives to propose alternative configurations of community and belonging, rooted in affective structures and challenging the coloniality of national imaginaries.

The book's analysis encompasses a wide range of literary and artistic expressions, including novels, plays, poetry, and visual art. It examines how these works engage with themes of identity, migration, cultural hybridity, and the complexities of belonging in a globalized world. By highlighting the strategic use of Chinese characters and narratives, the book challenges traditional representations of Chinese minorities and offers new perspectives on their experiences and contributions to Caribbean societies.

One of the key themes explored in the book is the construction of Chinese diasporic identities. The authors argue that Chinese diasporas in the Caribbean are shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including historical legacies, cultural exchange, and geopolitical tensions. Contemporary texts challenge the notion of fixed and homogeneous Chinese identities and instead present diverse and multifaceted portrayals of Chinese individuals and communities.

The book also examines the role of performance and theater in shaping Chinese diasporic experiences. The authors argue that performance offers a powerful means of expressing and negotiating identity, culture, and belonging in a diasporic context. Through the use of dance, music, and visual art, performers create spaces for the exploration of hybridity, cultural exchange, and the negotiation of power dynamics.

Another important aspect of the book is its exploration of the relationship between Chinese diasporas and the Caribbean. The authors argue that the Caribbean has played a significant role in shaping Chinese diasporic identities and cultures, particularly through the history of colonialism and migration. Contemporary texts explore the complex interconnections between Chinese diasporas and Caribbean societies, highlighting the ways in which cultural exchange, hybridization, and resistance have shaped the development of both communities.

In conclusion, Affect, Performance, and Chinese Diasporas in the Caribbean: Hopeful Futures offers a rich and insightful exploration of the emergence of Chinese diasporic literature and art in the Caribbean and its diasporas in the twenty-first century. Through its comprehensive analysis, the book challenges traditional narratives and presents new perspectives on the experiences and contributions of Chinese minorities in the Caribbean. It highlights the strategic use of Chinese characters and narratives as a means of proposing alternative configurations of community and belonging, while also examining the role of performance and theater in shaping Chinese diasporic experiences. This book will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and anyone with an interest in the study of diasporic cultures, identity, and belonging.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032447759