Making Sense of Emerging Categories in Life's Key Transitions: Tau's Journey
Migration is often seen through the lens of borders, national policies, and demographic statistics, but less attention is given to the lived experiences of migrants as they navigate these realities. The article, "Categories as Learning Practice: Navigating Contested Belonging Along Transatlantic Mobile Trajectories," published in Ethnic and Racial Studies, shifts the focus from institutional perspectives to the personal and evolving understanding mobility-related categories by individuals on the move. By tracing the journey of Tau, a single migrant, from Africa to Brazil and ultimately to Canada, the article sheds light on how mobility-related categories are not just imposed by external authorities but are also actively interpreted, adapted, and contested by those who experience them firsthand.
Tau’s childhood in a small town in northern Angola, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, was characterized by extreme poverty and a lack of parental care. As the third daughter in a family where a son was desired, Tau faced neglect and emotional abandonment from her mother, who resented her for not being a boy. This led Tau to spend much of her early years with her maternal grandparents, a move that introduced her to new forms of mobility—both voluntary and forced. The act of moving between her mother’s home and her grandparents’ household was not just a physical relocation for Tau; it was a profound shift in her social status and self-perception. Contrary to her mother’s home, in which Tau had felt like an outsider, a “stranger” within her own family, her move to her grandparents' house, while initially a response to neglect, became an opportunity for liberation and personal growth. Here, she experienced a level of care and attention that allowed her to develop a positive sense of self, far removed from the stigma she faced in her nuclear family.
Tau's life took a dramatic turn when violence erupted in Angola. A massacre separated her from her family and marked the beginning of a tumultuous journey. Alongside her two younger sisters she fled to Brazil, seeking refuge from the violence. The initial phase of their migration was fraught with challenges. Navigating Brazil’s complex asylum process was daunting, marked by bureaucratic hurdles and a deep sense of uncertainty. Terms like “refugiado” (refugee) and “solicitante” (asylum seeker) became central to Tau’s understanding of her new reality. The asylum process in Brazil involved a myriad of forms, interviews, and legal definitions, each step bringing its own set of challenges. Tau's initial perception of the refugee category as a straightforward status providing support was challenged by the fragmented and often contradictory nature of the humanitarian system. She encountered additional hurdles related to her nationality, the stigma associated with Angolan migrants, and the competitive nature of aid distribution. The refugee label, intended to offer protection, often felt more like a bureaucratic obstacle, with varying efficiency and effectiveness depending on other factors such as gender, nationality, and age.
Tau’s situation improved markedly when she secured an apartment in a São Paulo favela and began dating a fellow Angolan migrant. Her formal recognition as the guardian of her sisters and her subsequent Brazilian citizenship—granted through her newborn son—signaled significant progress. She started a small tailoring business, which allowed her to express her African heritage through fashion. However, this period of apparent stability was marred by ongoing struggles with racial discrimination and social exclusion. Her experiences in the workplace, where she faced derogatory comments about her hairstyle and subtle forms of exclusion, reflected broader societal prejudices.
Tau’s struggles were compounded by her partner’s involvement in dangerous activities and the violent dynamics within the favela. The threats from gangs and the realization that local authorities might be complicit in or indifferent to their plight led to a heightened sense of insecurity, despite her formal citizenship. This period underscored the intersection of cross-border dynamics and local socio-political realities.
Tau’s story illustrates how categorizations related to citizenship, race, and social status are not static but evolve in response to shifting socio-political conditions. It also demonstrates that legal and humanitarian frameworks, while essential, often fall short of addressing the full spectrum of migrant experiences. Her journey reveals the complexities of navigating multiple forms of identity and belonging, both within and across national borders.
The article adopts a biographical learning perspective, which considers not only the migrant’s aspirations and ideals but also the pragmatism and skepticism that arise along these journeys. This perspective recognizes that migrants are not passive recipients of externally imposed categories; instead, they actively engage with and learn from their experiences. They may adopt certain categories for pragmatic reasons, such as gaining legal status or accessing resources, while remaining skeptical of their ultimate impact on their sense of belonging. This nuanced view adds depth to our understanding of how migrants navigate complex social landscapes.
The article also explores how transformative events—such as encounters with immigration authorities, legal decisions, or significant personal experiences—can lead to shifts in how categories are valued or understood. These events can be moments of crisis or opportunity, where migrant must reassess their identity and belonging. For example, a change in legal status might lead to a newfound sense of security or, conversely, increased marginalization. By following these shifts, the article provides insight into the dynamic nature of categorization in the context of migration.
One of the intriguing aspects of the article is its exploration of categorical dissolution—moments when previously significant categories lose their meaning or relevance. This can occur when a migrant's legal status changes, or when they move to a new context where different categories are prioritized. The dissolution of categories can be both liberating and disorienting, as it may offer new opportunities for self-definition but also lead to a loss of identity anchors. The article traces these moments of dissolution, offering insights into the fluid and ever-changing nature of identity in the context of transatlantic migration.
In the end, Tau emerges as a figure who continuously challenges established structures and hierarchies. Her experiences of crisis, asylum, and citizenship illustrate the ongoing struggle for recognition and inclusion in a world where mobility-related categories are constantly in flux. Through her story, we gain a deeper understanding of the nuanced realities faced by migrants and the need for more inclusive and equitable approaches to migration and belonging. "Categories as Learning Practice: Navigating Contested Belonging Along Transatlantic Mobile Trajectories" offers a compelling exploration of how migrants navigate the complex world of identity and belonging as they move across borders. Rather than viewing categories as fixed and universally applicable, the article invites us to consider them as fluid and context-dependent, shaped by the specificities of time, place, and power dynamics. This approach not only enriches our understanding of migration but also highlights the importance of considering the agency and reflexivity of migrants themselves.
Article: Drotbohm, H. (2024). Categories as learning practice: Navigating contested belonging along transatlantic mobile trajectories. Ethnic and Racial Studies 48 (4), 1–24. DOI: 10.1080/01419870.2024.2404481
Foto (Title): Leon Petrosyan, Wikimedia Commons