CRONEM Conference 2006 ‘Multicultural Britain:From Anti-Racism to Identity Politics to...?’ 14-15th June Roehampton University, Southlands College, London, United Kingdom The Construction of Hybrid Identities: Ethnic Community Leaders in Italy Ilenya Camozzi (University of Milan-Bicocca, Italy)

The research object Modes of relation, self-representations and identitarian consequences experienced by subjects who occupy a ‘border position’ between two cultures. Modes of relation, self-representations and identitarian consequences experienced by subjects who occupy a ‘border position’ between two cultures. Subjects who come from a foreign context and who propose themselves as brokers between their own cultural group and the institutions of the immigration context: representatives or leaders of ethnic communities in Italy. Subjects who come from a foreign context and who propose themselves as brokers between their own cultural group and the institutions of the immigration context: representatives or leaders of ethnic communities in Italy. The leader is engaged to support the aggregation of compatriots by way of association, their social and working insertion, the promotion and safeguard of their culture of origin. The leader is engaged to support the aggregation of compatriots by way of association, their social and working insertion, the promotion and safeguard of their culture of origin.

Hypothesis An ethnic community leader could be considered a Marginal Man (Park, 1928) → a cultural hybrid, in balance between a world of origin and a new one. An ethnic community leader could be considered a Marginal Man (Park, 1928) → a cultural hybrid, in balance between a world of origin and a new one. The leader could occupy a particular space: a border space, an interstice between two different worlds and only here he could define his identity. This identity is hybrid. The leader could occupy a particular space: a border space, an interstice between two different worlds and only here he could define his identity. This identity is hybrid. Ambiguity of this role and space: from a negative sense to a positive approach to the concept of border and hybridity as a space of fertility. Ambiguity of this role and space: from a negative sense to a positive approach to the concept of border and hybridity as a space of fertility.

The field The research covered ethnic communities of Milan. The research covered ethnic communities of Milan. I surveyed 87 ethnic communities and conducted 20 in-depth interviews. I surveyed 87 ethnic communities and conducted 20 in-depth interviews. Survey period: 2004 Survey period: 2004 Sample: Sample: East Europe: 2 Albania, Ukraine North Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Africa: 2 Senegal, Eritrea, Ethiopia Asia: Sri Lanka, 2 Philippines, 2 China South America: Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina Middle East: Kurdistan

The sociological type Socio-demographic characteristics Socio-demographic characteristics Migratory outline Migratory outline Role within the ethnic community Role within the ethnic community

Playing Self and hybrid identity The particular capacity of the leader to move between different belongings, between We and They witnessed in his/her use of different pronouns and references. A playing Self. The particular capacity of the leader to move between different belongings, between We and They witnessed in his/her use of different pronouns and references. A playing Self. For an ethnic community leader it is very hard to mediate between compatriots and Italian institutions. Difficulties are both material and psychological. For an ethnic community leader it is very hard to mediate between compatriots and Italian institutions. Difficulties are both material and psychological. A particular space where (s)he is located - an interstitial space in between They/compatriots and They/Italians. Here (s)he experiences a new form of identity → a hybrid identity. A particular space where (s)he is located - an interstitial space in between They/compatriots and They/Italians. Here (s)he experiences a new form of identity → a hybrid identity. The leader’s cultural models. Because of their inadequacy to understand mechanisms of the new society, (s)he has to keep distances developing a more objective view of social reality. The leader’s cultural models. Because of their inadequacy to understand mechanisms of the new society, (s)he has to keep distances developing a more objective view of social reality.

Conclusions Italian ethnic community leaders symbolise the strong potential of hybridity. The negative meaning of this concept is reversed in contemporary societies: hybridity becomes a means for fertility and creates new forms of identity. Italian ethnic community leaders symbolise the strong potential of hybridity. The negative meaning of this concept is reversed in contemporary societies: hybridity becomes a means for fertility and creates new forms of identity. Leaders of immigrant associations represent an interesting object for the investigation of the features of multicultural societies. They are the main spokespeople for identity politics and for struggle for recognition of many migrants. Leaders of immigrant associations represent an interesting object for the investigation of the features of multicultural societies. They are the main spokespeople for identity politics and for struggle for recognition of many migrants. Leaders also represent an interesting example of the emergence of new forms of identity - hybrid identities - as a necessary tool for dialogue between cultures. Leaders also represent an interesting example of the emergence of new forms of identity - hybrid identities - as a necessary tool for dialogue between cultures.