Ethnicity and Kinship in North American and European Literatures

Kinship is used as an analytical concept to understand the affective economies, discursive practices, and aesthetic dimensions of cultural narratives of belonging, such as negotiating diasporic belonging, positioning queer-feminist interventions, challenging liberal sentimentalist narratives, and re-formulating cultural heterogeneity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 170 pages
Publication date: 18 March 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This edited collection delves into the intricate realm of kinship as an analytical concept, seeking to unravel the complex tapestry of affective economies, discursive practices, and aesthetic dimensions that shape cultural narratives of belonging. By applying kinship as a lens, scholars aim to enhance our understanding of the profound ways in which these narratives establish a sense of intimacy and affiliation within diverse communities.

In the rich tapestry of North American and European ethnic literatures, kinship assumes a multitude of social roles, serving as a powerful tool for navigating the complexities of diasporic identity and affiliation. It facilitates the negotiation of belonging within and beyond the confines of bloodlines and genealogy, challenging traditional notions of lineage and heritage. Moreover, kinship becomes a catalyst for queer-feminist interventions, offering alternative narratives that challenge ethno-nationalist narratives of belonging and advocate for inclusivity and equality. It also challenges liberal sentimentalist narratives, such as those often associated with transnational adoptees, questioning the notion of seamless integration and challenging the fetishization of difference.

Furthermore, kinship serves as a means to reimagine cultural heterogeneity by exploring interracial and interethnic kinship constellations that transcend post-racial assumptions about colorblindness or celebrations of racial and ethnic pluralism. Through these intricate relationships, contemporary authors engage in a thoughtful exploration of the challenges involved in crafting inclusive and counter-hegemonic cultural narratives of belonging that embrace the diversity of human experiences.

In conclusion, this edited collection offers a profound exploration of kinship as an analytical concept, shedding light on the intricate ways in which cultural narratives of belonging establish a sense of intimacy and affiliation. By delving into the social functions, queer-feminist interventions, challenges to liberal sentimentalism, and reimagining of cultural heterogeneity, scholars provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics that shape our understanding of identity and belonging in a diverse world.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 155 x 236 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367655143