Recounting migration : political narratives of Congolese young people in Uganda / Christina R. Clark-Kazak.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Clark-Kazak, Christina R., 1975-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Congolese (Democratic Republic)--Political activity--Uganda.

Congolese (Democratic Republic).

Congolese (Democratic Republic)--Uganda--Social conditions.

Refugees--Political activity--Uganda.

Refugees.

Refugees--Uganda--Social conditions.

Youth--Political activity--Uganda.

Youth.

Youth--Uganda--Social conditions.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (246 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Montréal : McGill-Queen's University Press, c2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"Millions of citizens from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been killed or displaced during decades of political corruption and military conflict. Many forced migrants are young people, who are often seen either as passive victims or as radicalized and amoral child soldiers perpetuating the cycle of violence. Recounting Migration refutes these stereotypes by presenting young Congolese refugees' nuanced understanding of the complex power relations that affect their everyday lives. Christina Clark-Kazak, a former international aid worker, uses extensive interviews done in Kampala and Kyaka II refugee settlement, Uganda, to present the narratives of ten young people living as refugees. Their accounts reveal both political awareness and individual agency in everyday and extraordinary circumstances. The author shows how refugee youth seek to influence decision-making processes in families, communities, and at policy levels through formal and informal mechanisms, as well as through non-political channels such as education and music. She juxtaposes their interpretations of the situations with the discourse and bureaucracy of international aid organizations, showing the sometimes radical differences between these perspectives. Clark-Kazak not only provides insight into the politics of labelling but offers recommendations for future research, policy, and programs for refugee young people. A remarkable and compelling look at the lives of young refugees, Recounting Migration challenges stereotypes by giving these migrants a long-overdue opportunity to speak for themselves."--Publisher's unedited description.

Contents:

Politicizing Approaches to Refugee Young People

Maps and Methods: Migration Narratives in Context

Innocente's Story: The Daily Politics of Belonging

James's Story: 'For Us Nande, a Tree Is Planted for Our Grandfather'

Roots and Routes along the Ugandan-Congolese Border

Rose's Story: The Politics of Administrative Categorization: Vulnerability, Agency, and Power Relations

Augustin's Story: 'I Was Supposed to Be a Prince'

Discourses on Leadership and Realities of Decision-Making Opportunities

Lucie's Story: Riches to Rags

Negotiating Power Reversals in Refugee Contexts

Amani's Story: Of Marriageable Age

Cross-Border Extended Family Politics

Bondeko's Story: Social Networks and 'Passive' Resistance

Jacob's Story: Respect and Respectability in Post-Migration Intergenerational and Intragenerational Relationships

Paul's Story: Morphologie douteuse and the Musicality of Body Politics

Marie's Story: Diploma for life? Education and Exclusion in Migration Discourse and Practice

Conclusion: The Politics of Age and Generation in Migration Contexts.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [199]-220) and index.

ISBN:

0-7735-8608-3

OCLC:

806255218