RP2: Real or Imagined

Okay, I know this is a very small part of a much bigger picture that we are looking at in class regarding diasporas, but I cannot get our discussion of “real or imagined” from Parrenas and Siu’s definition out of my head. However, I do believe that definitions, though basic levels of knowledge, are incredibly important to great understandings, so maybe these words are more important than they seem to be.

Anyway, real or imagined. “(Real or imagined.)” REAL or IMAGINED. real OR imagined. ??? My mind is spinning, because the more I think about the concept of “homelands” being real or imagined, the more I apply the idea to literally everything else in life. I think what Parrenas and Siu were trying to get at, and what we were discussing in class, was the idea that everything that is real, is imagined. I think it was Caitlyn who said that homelands were both. BOTH real AND imagined. That kind of blew my mind, because it’s so true. Everything that is real, was first imagined, and who’s to say that everything imagined isn’t real? What about race? Gender? Are those things really real? Well, people believe they’re real, so they are therefore given the power to be so.

This is so powerful, because, in the context of Parrenas and Sui’s definition, it gives people the freedom to choose their homeland, whatever (honestly whatever) they believe or feel that to be. I feel that this is a very important part of Diasporas in the first place. With this definition, the distinction of diaspora is put into the people’s hands. Every individual has the liberty to decide what their homeland is and therefore whether or not they are a part of a diaspora or not. A generic definition and others with pointing fingers do not get to decide for anyone else.

Obviously, this response is mostly my inner ramblings and an attempt to wrap my head around what we discussed in class. But I think it’s significant how much of an effect it had on me, and how much I resonate with our discussion and my thought process associated with it. So, as a conclusion, thank you to everyone who participated in class, especially to those who lead the discussion, for bringing me to my own concluding thoughts. I’m definitely learning a whole lot from all of you and I sincerely appreciate it.