Counternarratives and Collective Identity in Migrant Communities in China

• In Event: 16.019 - Counternarratives/Testimonios/Mestizaje Epistemologies

Abstract

This paper analyzes the ongoing impact migrant communities in urban China have for both society and for individuals. It addresses the following questions: In what ways do migrant children schools provide space for parents and teachers to connect and mobilize for collective action? How might the story of one emerging migrant teacher-activist provide insights into the nuances of collective identity transformation that would otherwise be overlooked? This paper argues that efforts surrounding the education of migrant children should not be downplayed and their significance should not be underestimated. It further offers insights into the nature of collective actions in Chinese society by examining the reconfiguration of what has traditionally been recognized as guanxi through the formation of new collective identities.

Author

• Min Yu, Wayne State University