Migration Can Fall Apart Life Stories from Voluntary and Deportee Return Migrants

by Miller, O. Alexander

• ISBN13: 9780761840008
• ISBN10: 0761840001
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-02-14
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

This work captures the compelling life stories of three types of Jamaican immigrants, including deportees, and examines how the transfer of different types of social capital affects their quests for social mobility. The concept of this particular type of social capital, in this case referred to as 'colonial capital' is introduced in the literature to categorize migrants. The term and idea of colonial capital derives from a quartet of ancient prejudices about family and skin pigmentation; education; social graces; and financial capital. The acquisition of any one element of colonial capital is of little use in achieving a higher class status. The stories of these immigrants reveal three types of migrants: those with high colonial capital who resettle in Jamaica; disgruntled migrants with mid-colonial capital who often become transmigrants; and deportees_a group whose low-colonial capital renders them vulnerable abroad and in Jamaica. As a consequence of the evaluation of this phenomenon, the 'Transnational Theory' is re-evaluated and extended to the 'Colonial Capital Theory of Migration.'

Author Biography

O. Alexander Miller taught religion and sociology for several years and holds a Master of Divinity from Erskine College.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vii
Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
Silly Me for Thinking Migration Would Overcome Colonial Prejudices	p. 27
You look Like a Fool Returning with Nothing: Involuntary Return Migrants	p. 51
Colonial Capital Matters: A Comparison of Voluntary & Involuntary Return Migrants	p. 73
Conclusion	p. 89
Initial Interview Question Guide	p. 93
Full Life Stories for the Curious	p. 97
Bibliography	p. 131
Index	p. 141
About the Author	p. 143
Review	p. 145
Endorsement	p. 147
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