Ethnic Perspective Research Articles

The Impact of Transactional Politics on Papuan Ethnic Identity Politics in the Dynamics of the 2024 General Election in Manokwari Regency

The objective of this study is to investigate the perspectives of the Papuan ethnic group regarding the dynamics of identity politics in general elections, which frequently encompass aspirations related to identity politics. The term "Papuan ethnicity" refers to an identity within Papuan nationalism, symbolizing the mobilization and unification of Papuans. In the context of elections, the notion of Papuan ethnicity becomes a significant issue for electoral candidates, particularly for those who lack support from their fellow Papuans. Utilizing qualitative research methods and ethnographic approaches, this study explores the impact of transactional politics on the ethnic perspectives and political participation of Papuans during elections. It examines various factors, including the influence of political funding on voter preferences, the mobilization of ethnic groups for political backing, and the dynamics of inter-ethnic interactions within political disputes. The findings of this research aim to provide an in-depth understanding of the patterns of political aspirations in Papua and their implications for the consolidation of democracy in Indonesia.Keywords: identity politics, political aspirations, Papuan ethnicity, general elections

Gender equality from the perspective of Minahasa ethnicity and Christian religious education

Gender equality continues to be a topic of ongoing public concern, with various alternatives proposed to achieve the ideal gender equality. Despite the utilisation of various references, the desired outcomes have yet to be realised. Local traditions in Minahasa and Christian religious education (CRE) in Indonesia offer constructive alternatives for gender equality efforts. While the political, religious and social spheres have not strongly supported gender equality, Minahasan culture and philosophy have long advocated for gender equality. Using a qualitative approach with descriptive analysis, this study draws references from various books and articles to construct the idea of gender equality from the local context of Minahasa. In conclusion, the historical origins of Minahasa, traditions of leadership such as tonaas and walian, as well as the philosophy of equality in life and CRE, contribute to the values of gender equality.Contribution: This research presents the idea of gender equality drawn from the local values of Minahasa and CRE in Indonesia. Thus, the cultural-educational perspective can significantly impact social life and help combat gender discrimination.

Exploring the Semantic Significance ‘Camel’ and Cultural Representation in the Kazakh Ethnic Worldview as Reflected in the National Corpus

The article examines the study of the concept of “cultural worldview” in linguistics, including methods for studying the linguistic expression of the ethnic perspective. It argues that the formation of information about this concept, organized in the mind of a nation before it is expressed through language, is composed of various worldviews. Human knowledge is intrinsically linked to the environment, nation, state, surrounding nature, religion, national values, and cultural traditions. It is impossible to conceive of this knowledge independently from its context or create a discrete worldview. Therefore, the article explains, using examples, that in the environment where the collective image common to an ethnos is formed, the ethnic image is also formed. The linguistic representation of the Kazakh ethnic worldview is explained step-by-step. The study finds that the presence of ethno-marked units in the language system is a key feature in the formation of ethno-cultural knowledge. Additionally, the effectiveness of using socio-philosophical, cultural, symbolic, and semantic research methods to determine the verbalization of the ethnic worldview is demonstrated. Ethnomarking of material cultural names, precedent names, mythological names and concepts, and zoomorphic and phytonymic names are among the elements that constitute the Kazakh ethnic worldview.

EXPLORATION OF MULTICULTURAL APPROACHES IN HISTORY LEARNING IN MULTIETHNIC CONTEXTS: CASE STUDY AT SMAN 14 MEDAN

This research aims to explore a multicultural approach to teaching history at SMAN 14 Medan, especially in a multiethnic context. The multicultural approach here refers to the integration of various ethnic perspectives into the history curriculum to increase understanding and respect for cultural diversity. This study was conducted using qualitative methods and data collection techniques through classroom observations, interviews and document analysis. The research results show that the application of a multicultural approach to history learning at SMAN 14 Medan has helped students understand and appreciate cultural differences, as well as increasing student involvement in the learning process. Key success factors include teacher training, teaching materials relevant to multiethnic contexts, and an inclusive learning atmosphere. The implication of this research is the importance of applying a multicultural approach to history learning to enrich students' learning experiences in a multiethnic context. It is hoped that this research can contribute to the development of a more inclusive history curriculum in ethnically diverse schools. By understanding and appreciating cultural diversity, students are equipped with the skills necessary to interact effectively in a multiethnic environment. Teachers, as facilitators, have a key role in creating a supportive learning environment for all students, thereby creating valuable and relevant learning experiences. This research also highlights several limitations, such as the research being limited to one school and the qualitative approach used. Therefore, further research involving a number of schools and using quantitative methods can provide a broader understanding of the effectiveness of a multicultural approach in teaching history.Applying a multicultural approach to history learning not only benefits students academically but also helps prepare them to live and work in an increasingly multicultural society. Thus, inclusive and multicultural history learning is not only relevant in an educational context but is also important for building an inclusive and tolerant society in the future.

Literature Review of Research on Biharis Issue in Bangladesh

During the partition of India, approximately 1.3 million Urdu-speaking Muslims, suffering communal riots, migrated to the former East Pakistan (Bangladesh). They were known as Biharis. The Pakistan ruling class prefered Biharis due to their Muhajir status. Therefore, they supported Pakistani domination consciously. Some Biharis joined the Pakistan army during the Bangladesh Liberation War. With the establishment of Bangladesh, all Biharis were considered traitors.A number of Biharis opted for Pakistan. Despite a repatriation process lasting over 20 years, many Biharis still stranded in Bangladesh. The Biharis were granted Bangladeshi citizenship in 2008. However, they continue to face challenges integrating into mainstream in terms of education, employment, travel and residence in Bangladesh.Since the 1970s, extensive research has been conducted by the international academic community on various aspects related to the origin of Biharis, repatriation efforts, identity issues and human rights. With the influence of international academics, there has been an increasing focus within Chinese academics on the plight of Biharis in Bangladesh.The Biharis issue in Bangladesh remains further study from various perspectives and angles. We can understand nation-state construction processes of Bangladesh as well as examining geopolitical dynamics within South Asia from an ethnic perspective.

Suicidal Behavior of Australian Males, From an Ethnicity Perspective

Background Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among Australian males. Despite the cultural diversity in Australia, there is a significant research gap in knowledge of suicidal behavior among Australian males from ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk of suicidal behaviors among Australian males based on ethnicity, with an emphasis on those from ethnic-minority backgrounds. Methods We used data from the first wave of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health. Multiple logistic regression models were used to determine the risk of suicidal behavior (lifetime suicide attempt, lifetime suicidal ideation, recent suicidal ideation) by ethnicity. Results Among ethnic minority males, Pacific Islander males also had the highest prevalence of lifetime suicide attempts (12.2%), while Middle Eastern (2.3%) and South-/North-East Asian males (2.9%) had the lowest rates. South American males had the highest recent suicidal ideation (18.2%), followed by Pacific Islanders (14.2%). The highest prevalence of lifetime suicidal thoughts was reported among males of mixed ethnicity (23.0%), followed by South American (14.6%) and Pacific Islander (13.5%) males. Most ethnic-minority groups had a lower risk of lifetime suicidal ideation compared with Australian males. Evidence regarding differences in recent suicidal ideation and lifetime suicide attempts between ethnic-minority and Australian-background males was inconclusive. Conclusion Evidence was found of differences in suicidal behaviors among Australian males based on ethnicity. Future research should use inclusive methodologies to confirm these associations and explore the underlying factors contributing to higher rates of suicidal behavior in specific populations.

Overseas Koreans and New Governance Making in Korea

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent issues surrounding overseas Koreans in Korea and the governance construction efforts by the Korean government through laws and institutions to address them. With up to approximately 1 million overseas Koreans residing in Korea out of a total of 7.08 million, issues related to immigration to Korea are also pertinent. The burgeoning population of overseas Koreans and their demands not only affect the central government's policies but also impact local communities. This article aims to explore how the Korean society is legally and institutionally responding to the recent surge in the population of overseas Koreans within Korea. To achieve this goal, the article focuses on three aspects. First, it analyzes the increase in the population of overseas Koreans in Korean society over the past two decades along with the associated issues from the perspectives of immigration, ethnicity, overseas Koreans, laws and institutions, and central and local governments. Second, it examines the new laws, institutions, and the interrelationship between the government and overseas Koreans that have been developed to address the issues raised. Third, it evaluates the characteristics of the newly established governance of overseas Koreans and identifies any associated problems. Additionally, it discusses the implications of the Korean case compared with other countries' cases. In the era of globalization and increased human mobility, this article contributes to understanding Korean society's perspective on and policies toward the group of overseas Koreans in the context of laws and institutions.

Violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic: types of occurrences from an ethnic perspective

This study arose from an interest in finding out the profile of women who experienced violence during the Covid-19 pandemic. Given that black and brown women are more vulnerable to these occurrences, the aim was to comparatively describe the occurrence of types of violence in women in the state of Rio de Janeiro, considering their ethnicity and the period before, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a documentary, descriptive, retrospective study with a quantitative approach. Government documents obtained from the virtual platform of the Public Security Institute of Rio de Janeiro - ISP on the occurrence of violence against women from 2019 to 2022 in the state of Rio de Janeiro were analyzed. Among the main results, it was identified that women with a low level of schooling experience more violence than women with a higher level, as well as black and brown women experiencing more violence than white women. The low level of schooling (directly related to economic conditions) and skin color (being black or brown) showed an increase in women's vulnerability to experiencing violence. It was also possible to identify that the majority of employed women suffered more violence than unemployed women, as well as the fact that the main place of aggression was in the victim's home. Considering the results, there is an urgent need for socio-political actions to combat violence, valuing ethnicity, as well as other indicators of groups of women who are more vulnerable to violence.

Redefining the Nation and Exploring the Self: Reading Contemporary Kirant Poetry

This paper critically analyzes how the poets belonging to the indigenous Kirant ethnic background perceive and interrogate the narratives of Nepali national identities and nationalism in their creative expressions. Six different poets belonging to Rai and Limbu communities––Shrawan Mukarung, Bhupal Rai, Upendra Subba, Swapnil Smriti, Chandrabir Tumbapo, and Heman Yatri–– are purposefully selected for this study who embrace the Kirant as their common identity. Most of the poems selected here are composed against the backdrop of People's Movement II in 2006 and reflect the marginalized ethnic perspectives about nation, nationalism, cultural identity, and indigenous consciousness. The theoretical notion of nationalism is employed in the study, drawing upon theorists like Ernest Renan, Ernest Gellnar, and David Steven. A critical analysis of the selected body of poetry offers the findings that the contemporary Kirant poets attempt to redraw the discourse of Nepali nationalism in two different ways: 1) by exposing the gaps and fissures inherent in the national narratives; and 2) by exploring and incorporating their unique selves in their composition­s–– in the forms of local myths, folklore, ritualistic elements, indigenous symbols, socio-cultural values, and ethnic concerns. The study concludes that literature helps redress the crises created by the state in the past, and contemporary Nepali poetry, particularly those composed by the Kirant ethnic community, is a response that voices sentiments of the margin.

(Re)presenting race: an analysis of special education textbooks for engagement with race and ethnicity

ABSTRACT Introductory special education textbooks are significant for their role in shaping pre-service teachers’ understanding of the field by providing access to information at a time when prospective teachers are beginning to formulate their pedagogical and philosophical beliefs. They serve as the foundation on which students build and frame their knowledge of the field. By analyzing 4536 pages from 10 special education textbooks using content and discourse analysis, this study explores how special education textbook authors incorporate critical perspectives of race and ethnicity into their discussions. The findings reveal the deployment of deficit discourse about Black and Brown students and the absence of an analysis or naming of the intersecting oppressions Black and Brown students face in school and society. Findings also reveal a strategic coopting of racialized experiences using analogies to emphasize the significance of ableism. Recommendations for teacher educators, researchers, and textbook authors are provided.

Social Conflict as a Perspective in Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies

<p>Interdisciplinary studies demand an understanding of multiple disciplines across disciplines. In the social sciences discipline, the results of sociology research are growing rapidly and have formulated new theories that can be utilized in interdisciplinary studies. Among these is the theory of social conflict. The perspective of social conflict departs from the assumption that inequality exists in all societies. Social conflict theory focuses on various aspects of power status in social positions. Individual identification characteristics are viewed from ethnic or ethnic perspectives, gender, age, religion, expertise, and social status. This social conflict theory can be applied as a perspective in interdisciplinary Islamic studies, this is due to the aim of Islamic studies is to describe the relationship between Islam and various aspects of human life, explaining the spirit (ethos) of Islam in the form of moral and values within Islamic teaching. Thus, approaching Islam through the lens of social conflict theory within Islamic studies got it relevance as Islamic teaching responses to various new paradigms as a result of advances in science and technology and the emergence of new philosophies and ideologies as well as the relationship between Islam and the vision, mission, and goals of Islamic teachings.</p>

Cultural mapping and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: An ethnic perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a comprehensive vaccination program that spans across social, geographical, and political boundaries. Our study aims to evaluate the program's effectiveness and explore the social factors that can influence its success globally. By analyzing data on immunization coverage and COVID-19 vaccination status for 196 and 187 countries, respectively, and taking into account the cultural values of 110 countries, we identified a correlation between vaccination success and societal openness to change. Our findings suggest that a history of good immunization coverage alone may not guarantee successful vaccine rollout; an optimistic ecosystem is also necessary. People must be willing to accept and apply the solution, and the rollout must address their psychological need for 360-degree success. Our study thus highlights the importance of understanding the social outlook to calibrate the attainment scale of global vaccination programs.

A Roundtable on Collectivism

Abstract This article presents a discussion among activists, artists, and scholars to center communalism as a political process and methodology in and across geographical and cultural political “Souths.” One of the central questions that this article raises is how to create diverse and heterogeneous strategies for the sustainability and creation of the collective spirit during the conjunctural and structural crises of the Global South and the exhaustion that it produces among those living there. Among themes in the discussion are art, culture, and spirituality as decolonial practices with a historical and ethnic perspective of Black communalism of the South in the context of the United States and Venezuela based on collective life existing before and beyond the European legacies of the commune.

Differing Perceptions of Criminal Justice and Views of Law Enforcement: A Cluster-Analytic Approach to Racial-Ethnic Identities.

Race and ethnicity within psycholegal research have often been treated as nominal variables which ignores their rich within-cultural diversity and can sometimes lead to sweeping pejorative conclusions (e.g., higher prevalence of arrests). The development of several salient measures of racial-ethnic attitudes-such as the CERIS-A and MEIM-has sparked a refocusing on dimensional perspectives of race and ethnicity. This refocus becomes especially important when examining views of law enforcement and criminal justice in light of unwarranted deaths of minoritized groups while in police custody. The current study recruited a juror-eligible, online community sample (i.e., MTurk) to study their views of justice and police. Using the seven subscales of the CERIS-A, four cluster groups were identified that spanned participants' race and ethnicity. Unique patterns emerged when comparing the four groups. For example, the cluster high on both multiculturalism and their own racial-ethnic identity had far more negative views of police conduct regarding its lawfulness and fairness. Further differences emerged for views of criminal justice including the death penalty. The research implications of these findings were discussed.

Lowalangi Deity in Nias Community Traditions Reviewed from the Perspective of Christian Faith

Understanding God's name is a sacred thing for Christians, so placing God's name in Christian life gives it different meanings without eliminating its substance. One example is the change of God's name in the Nias ethic, which became an event and was a grafting of a name from a cultural perspective to a theological one. This is related to the name of God from Deitas Lowalangi which is one of the names of ethical figures on the island of Nias who is used as a synonym for the name of God. If you look at it, there are actually many other name deities that are choices for God's name. And this is the topic of discussion in this article and its application to the lives of the people of Nias today. This research was carried out by means of literature studies and interviews with several Nias ethnic figures who were sources, both intellectuals and traditional figures and servants of God. The aim of writing this article is that the essence of the name Lowalangi is not just changing the name to God but has a deep meaning without any interference from the name of the god worshiped by the Nias ethnic group, as well as strengthening the faith of the Nias Christian people in actualizing the name of God in religious and cultural life. Through understanding the name of God from the Nias ethnic perspective, that the true name of God is implemented correctly and on a Biblical basis. The connection between the name of God in the Nias ethnic group is only limited to the name adopted by missionaries to straighten out the faith of Christians on Nias Island. Because no other Lowalangi name is misused by Christians in any worship. Because what must be worshiped is the real Lowalangi in the Bible, not Lowalangi because it is based on the name of a traditional figure, god or ancestor.

Ethnic obligation and employee well-being: The moderating role of relative deprivation

ABSTRACT In this paper, we propose that ethnic obligation is a norm that regulates the obligations of ethnic group members to each other and then examine its effects on well-being in a context where ethnicity is salient. Using a strain theory perspective, along with primary and secondary data sets, we found relative deprivation to be a moderator in the relationship between ethnic obligation and the well-being of individuals in both work and non-work contexts. The findings challenge previous findings on the structural perspective of ethnicity and help explain well-being in an under-researched cultural context.

From Peaceful Civil Movement to Civil War and Sectarian Polarization: A Critical Review of Kevin Mazur’s Revolution in Syria: Identity, Networks, and Repression

This critical review delves into Kevin Mazur’s latest publication, Revolution in Syria: Identity, Networks, and Repression (2021), which scrutinizes the transformation of a peaceful civil movement into a civil war characterized by ethnic divisions. The review offers a comprehensive assessment of Mazur’s approach to answering the pivotal question: How did the Syrian conflict evolve along ethnic lines? Spanning 306 pages, the book’s central premise revolves around the notion that the Syrian uprising’s evolution into an ethnicized conflict can be attributed to a confluence of factors, with the predominant catalyst being the ethnically exclusive nature of the incumbent political regime. Of particular interest in this review is the emphasis on the sectarian or ethnic perspective – a prominent lens used to analyse the political and societal landscapes of the Islamicate Arab world. Mazur’s ethno-sectarian perspective, commendably, avoids succumbing to primordial essentialism. However, this review contends that a critical appraisal is warranted regarding Mazur’s conceptualization of Syrians’ identities solely through religious, ethnic, or sectarian affiliations. Similarly, the presumption that these affiliations inherently explain attitudes towards both the ruling regime and the uprising against it raises valid concerns. One notable critique lies in the characterization of Syrians within Mazur’s narrative. Strikingly, absent are depictions of Syrians as a unified populace, individual actors or civic entities. This stems from the book’s classification framework, which hinges on two primary criteria: an ethnic-sectarian criterion and a local or regional one. This duality, while serving analytical purposes, potentially undermines the complexity and diversity inherent within Syrian society. In conclusion, this review acknowledges the significant contributions of Mazur’s book, recognizing its role in shedding light on the ethnicized trajectory of the Syrian conflict. Nonetheless, it urges cautious contemplation of the assumptions underpinning the ethnic-sectarian perspective. The book’s dual classification approach warrants critical consideration for its potential to oversimplify the multifaceted nature of Syrian identities. Thus, while appreciating the book’s value, this review underscores the need to acknowledge its limitations in fostering a comprehensive understanding of the Syrian conflict’s intricate dynamics.

Subject in motion: (de)capitalization and coping strategies of Tibetan "Sea Turtles" in China.

Previous studies on Chinese overseas students have generally presumed a smooth transition from mobility to mobility capital and have lacked an ethnic perspective. In this study, we adopt mobility capital as an analytical lens to explore the life trajectories of a group of Tibetans with studying abroad experiences. Drawing on qualitative data through multiple methods, we find a shift from collective-oriented expectations regarding studying abroad to individualist life planning and lifestyles after returning to work in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Before studying abroad, the informants viewed such experiences as important capital that could be later used to make a change for the Tibetan group, their local societies, and the state. Those views met a different reality after returning to TAR because the informants generally felt they were being viewed as potentially risk subjects in the workplace, which significantly impeded the capitalization of educational mobility at the institutional level. However, the informants developed coping strategies to find self-worth in private life by capitalizing on educational mobility. By addressing the subjective experiences of Tibetan informants in TAR and their associations with institutional contexts, this article not only engages an ethnicity-sensitive perspective to understand the politics of international educational mobility but also extends the discussion on individuals' experiences of educational mobility to the successional stage upon returning to their home societies. This article ultimately emphasizes the need for more culturally and politically reflexive policies that can sustain the flow of ethnic talents and help them realize their self-worth.

Reframing Climate Change Resilience: An Intersectional Perspective of Ethnicity and Gender from Vietnam

This study breaks away from traditional macroeconomic-data-based research that often overlooks the subjective experiences of communities and social groups in assessing their resilience to external stressors. Instead, we conducted a nuanced analysis of self-assessments provided by 364 household heads in the Nam Dong District, Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam, to gain a comprehensive understanding of household resilience. Our investigation focused on two upland communities—the Kinh majority and Co Tu ethnic minority households—evaluating their resilience levels in terms of the five livelihood capitals and identifying significant disparities among different ethnic and gender groups. Our findings reveal notable differences in livelihood resilience to climate change and variability among these groups, particularly for women, the poor, and ethnic minorities who exhibit lower resilience levels. This underscores the need for policies and programs designed to improve resilience capacity while taking into account these groups’ cultural and social norms. We suggest focusing on improving financial, human, and social capitals to increase households’ resilience to external shocks. Specifically, building resilience for disadvantaged groups must go hand in hand with promoting their overall well-being and alleviating poverty. Additionally, we recommend tailored training programs to raise awareness among households and strengthening institutional systems to enhance overall resilience.

The Value Turn in Zhang Jiarui’s Yunnan Trilogy

Zhang Jiarui’s three films: When Ruoma Was Seventeen (2003), Huoyao Bride in Shangrila (2005) and Red River (2009), are often referred as the ‘Yunnan Trilogy’. Because they are based on the Yunnan minority and all three films were directed by Zhang Jiarui and written by Meng Jiazong. All these three films were produced in the first decade of the 21st century. To a certain extent they have a more stable pattern of change in terms of the director’s personal artistic experience. Reflects the value turn in the creator’s creative philosophy, I consider the three films as a system, examining their changes over from the perspectives of ethnicity and commerciality. This individual phenomenon of the creators may serve as a symptom of the changes in minority films in the new century of China.