Blog 1 – GER 351: Janessa Beltran
Identity performance
Identity performance is in many contexts, a way for individuals to express their identities in a cultural, social, and political way. In the context of our class and class reading, we can see how identity performance in Germany is a dynamic process in various aspects—usually influenced more by historic moments in time that were used to shape cultural diversity, social and political movements. In regards to historical influence, we can recognize that post-war identity significantly influenced German nationality. One reading we can look at to help us understand the influence of Identity performance is “Beyond the Ethnic-Civic Dichotomy: Cultural Citizenship as a New Way of Excluding Immigrants” by Arjan Reijerse, Kaat Vanacker, Norbert Vanbeselaere, Karen Phalet, and Bart Duriez. This was a research study on high school students measuring citizenship representation through ethnic, social, and political views. An attentive measure in the study was the “ethnic representation scale; which relates to attitudes towards migrants because of their relations with the cultural and civil scales”(Reijerse et al., 2013). This is a more symbolic form of racism since WW2 and represents the views on citizenship through identity performance. Through this, there was a focus on where citizen representation comes from. Social, physiological, and contextual factors seem to influence the development of someone’s citizenship representation.
The article did state that “ the relations of the cultural citizenship in the literature regarding representation did not match with the theoretical conceptualization of cultural citizenship”(Reijerse et al., 2013). I believe that this is due to the traditional sense of culture and notions that have been established through a historical sense of power and social inclusion. Through this, one could agree or disagree that there is cultural citizenship and then there is national citizenship. The difference in definitions is identity performance and how it is used as a social construct. National citizenship is often tied to the status of nationality and is recognized by the state through rights, laws, and regulations. Cultural citizenship is often an expression and recognition of diverse cultural identities and practices. Cultural identity performance is usually marginalized as non-citizens or minority groups. Where national identity can be “exclusionary” and is based on legal criteria which is used to marginalize non-citizens or minority groups. The meaning of identity in these two factors highlights different values, inclusivity, and the dynamics of belonging in a society. Specifically in Germany, national citizenship is often associated with legal status whereas cultural citizenship is not seen as “citizenship” but emphasizes cultural identity, community, and experience. A short film I recently watched that gave us an inside perspective into these different ideologies is”50 Years of Turkish Guest Workers in Germany” by DW.com. It not only captured the hardships of Turkish workers who were brought into Germany but also showed how many Turkish workers felt a loss of identity. This video also showed us how even throughout the years their identity performance is in question because of Germany’s historical influence and their nationalistic citizenship view. These social dynamics regarding a Turkish worker who stayed in Germany and one who returned to his homeland differed. Social categorization differed. Although they were both national Turkish citizens they both felt culturally obligated as German citizens. However, not all of Germany seems to believe that adopting behavior is enough to be a significant citizenship. Identity performance through cultural, social, and political views in Germany is a challenge that remains which can hinder authenticity. Often leading to social isolation and conflict. Discrimination and fewer opportunities can impact one’s identity performance. But the biggest challenge, I believe is the immigration status role in Germany. It seems to be an identified challenge of identity performance.
Work Cited
“Cultural Citizenship.pdf: GER 351 (Fall 2024; 15892) Diversity in Germany.” Uoregon.edu, 2024, canvas.uoregon.edu/courses/251141/files/19661292?module_item_id=4929169. Accessed 29 Oct. 2024.
“50 Years of Turkish Guest Workers in Germany.” Dw.com, 2016, www.dw.com/en/back-in-time-50-years-of-turkish-guest-workers-in-germany/video-6649903. Accessed 29 Oct. 2024.