Abstract
Through a critical review of scholarly literature on the role of collective memory as a resistance tool to memoricide, this research paper uses an analytical approach to examine the efforts exerted by Palestinian refugees in post 1948 Nakba (catastrophe of dispossession) to preserve and consolidate their national identity through the transmission of history of displacement and cultural heritage. With a specific focus on the fourth-generation Palestinian refugees living under occupation, and through studying cultural practices, oral history, and the Great March of Return Movement, this paper examines the role played by the collective memory in consolidating the Palestinians national identity in the post-Nakba era. The research argues that the collective memory constitutes a central anchor to preserving the Palestinian national identity and becomes an instrumental site for resistance, creating a generation of hope and rights, not despair and loss, as claimed by the recent literature. Key Words: Palestinian Refugees, Nakba, Collective Memory, Memoricide, National Identity, Oral History, Memory, Heritage, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Right of Return
Highlights
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th of 1948, yet 71 years later, human rights violations devastate the lives of millions of people on a daily basis all around the world
It is of great importance to highlight the role of memory on history, and history on memory, as we examine how settler-colonialism has allocated power imbalances of hierarchies; leading to the memoricide, historical amnesia, and denial of history by the colonizing power
McGrattan emphasizes critical importance of ‘Political domination’ where he argues “that such domination ‘involves historical definition... [history] is at stake in the constant struggle for hegemony” (McGrattan, 2012, p. 150). He continues by saying that “the relation between history and politics ... [is] an internal one: it is about the politics of history and the historical dimensions of politics’” (2012, p. 150). This truly speaks to how memory and history are “mobilised by groups who seek to increase their political standing... or contain those they perceive as rivals.” (2012, p. 150), which is why memory and history are important to understand in the contexts of sites of struggle and resistance
Summary
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th of 1948, yet 71 years later, human rights violations devastate the lives of millions of people on a daily basis all around the world. Jil Al Nakba, generation that were born and raised in historic Palestine, and who witnessed its destruction, became the frontline narrators, sharing the stories of the pre- and post-1948 tragedy They encountered the feeling of alienation after their expulsion, and a deep sense of loss in the refugee camps, but they were the generation that shaped the building blocks for the individual, national, and collective consciousness. This literature review paper aims to answer the following research question: How does collective memory shape the identity of post-Nakba 4th generation Palestinian refugees, against the systematic colonial project of memoricide? I hope to explore and learn more about the stories and memories of their individual, collective, and national identities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
