Ethnic re-identification: Lithuanian Americans and Native Americans

This paper compares recent resurgences of racial/ethnic identity among Lithuanian Americans and Native Americans in the United States, and examines the phenomenon of 'ethnic re-identification', defined as the adoption of an ethnic identity after a period of non-identification. This compari...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of ethnic and migration studies 2002-04, Vol.28 (2), p.275-289
Main Authors: Kelly, Mary E., Nagel, Joane
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
American Indian people
American Indians
Civil rights
Community
Ethnic Authenticity
Ethnic Groups
Ethnic Identity
Ethnicity
Homeland
Identification
Indigenous populations
Lithuania
Lithuanian American people
Lithuanian Americans
Migration
Native Americans
Post-Soviet studies
U.S.A
United States of America
USA
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper compares recent resurgences of racial/ethnic identity among Lithuanian Americans and Native Americans in the United States, and examines the phenomenon of 'ethnic re-identification', defined as the adoption of an ethnic identity after a period of non-identification. This comparison of two very different groups - one a racial category comprised of a variety of diverse indigenous groups, the other a white ethnic ancestry category with some, but relatively much less internal differentiation - provides us with an opportunity to identify several general processes shaping ethnic re-identification. Similarities in patterns of ethnic re-identification in these two groups suggest that ethnic re-identification tends to occur within particular historical epochs, for example the US civil rights era and the disintegration of the Soviet Union; often involves specific symbolic moments, such as the occupation of Alcatraz Island or the Lithuanian declaration of independence; and tends to be bolstered by various forms of individual and collective ethnic action such as visits to ethnic homelands - whether countries or reservations - or protest activism. Ethnic re-identification can both strengthen and weaken ethnic group solidarity: it is strengthened by the cultural renewal activities and inflow of resources generated by re-identifying group members; but is weakened by debates about ethnic authenticity and group boundaries that result from the influx of new, often non-traditional members and the transformation of traditional practices and institutions that accompanies cultural renewal.
ISSN:1369-183X
1469-9451
DOI:10.1080/13691830220124332