Migration is the movement of people, animals or things from one place to another due to some factors. The reasons for migration can be economic, social, political or environmental. There are usually push factors and pull factors at work. Migration can be internal or international. Internal migration is when people or things migrate within the same country or region – for example, moving from London to Plymouth. International migration is when people migrate from one country to another – for example, moving from Mexico to the USA. People or animals usually migrate from their comfort zone in hope of a better place or thing.
Reading the Natalie Zervou’s review project of Fragments of the European Refugee Crisis: Performing Displacement and the Re-Shaping of Greek Identity reminds me of a question my professor asked us in class in China, why western white migrants are specifically called expatriates and others as migrants? When we come to the definition of expatriate, it means a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of the person’s upbringing. The professor left the question suspended but in my view, it reflects hierarchy despite its definition. Zervou highlight migration on her review as, “In the rapidly changing urban demographic of Athens, the performing arts have become the main sites for addressing issues of migration and othering.” This shows how people constantly move to Athens for some factors and these people are addressed as migrants on the article which implies they are not western white people.
I chose migration because it is a forthcoming word when I start thinking about movement. Migration has many forms refugee, resettlement, or step migration. I consider myself as step migrant who migrated from my small village in my country to the capital city and then to the United Arab Emirates now. All these my movements, migration have meaning.
Dear Johannes,
What you are pointing to here is that the dictionaries seem to describe migration as something that applies to all sentient creatures who either consciously or instinctively have the impulse to seek a better life — something that may be universal. But political life then distinguishes that impulse according to categories of subjects — and in doing so, that separation designates who is authorized or welcome to seek better opportunities (those who are far more enfranchised either according to economics, class, gender, race, ability or nationality) and those who are fleeing because they have little or nothing. Already – discursive terms give meaning to the same impulse — and tell others how those bodies should be treated and respected. Then, there is the speed and tempo to the way in which both the migrant can adjust or not adjust to the need to shift and change. Some don’t have a choice, and there is a tremendous impact on the body and psyche. Step migration seems like a kind of privilege if it is a choice, but an obstacle if one wants to get somewhere else but is prohibited because of their particular discursive and legal status.
As a writing note – please go to the writing center to learn how to format citations, titles and use the proper punctuation while doing so.