History, Diaspora, and Politics

E332 | Migration has long been a driving force in the history of global and transnational connections. In this episode, we explore the politics of diaspora surrounding different migrant communities in the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond with three student guests. First, we discuss the little-known history of Vietnamese migrants in the state of Israel. Then, through film, we revisit the history and memory of Jewish urban life in North Africa between Tunisia and France. Finally, we consider the political implications of the relationship between Canada and the Ismaili diaspora. More at http://www.ottomanhistorypodcast.com/2017/09/diaspora.html Evyn Lê Espiritu is a Rhetoric PhD candidate and filmmaker at UC Berkeley. Her dissertation examines the Vietnamese refugee diaspora in Guam and Israel-Palestine as a means to trace not only circuits of empire—how the Vietnam War is linked to US military build-up in Guam and an unwavering support of Israel—but also circuits of solidarity—how Chamorro decolonialization efforts and Palestinian resistance struggles are connected via the Vietnamese refugee figure. Margaux Fitoussi is a PhD student in anthropology at Columbia University studying migration and memory in North Africa. Kais Khimji recently graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College where he majored in Social Studies with a focus on Islamic Modernism and Western Thought. His thesis explored the relationship between the Canadian government and the Ismaili Imamat as represented by His Highness the Aga Khan IV. CREDITS Episode No. 332 Release Date: 10 September 2017 Recording Location: Harvard University Recording and audio editing by Shireen Hamza and Chris Gratien Music: Harmandali - Recep Efendi, Cemal Efendi; Katibim (Uskudar'a Gider iken) - Safiye Ayla; Baglamamin Dugumu - Necmiye Ararat and Muzaffer; from Excavated Shellac - Lili Labassi - Mazal Haye Mazal Special thanks to Kara Günes for permission to use the composition "Istanbul" Images and bibliography courtesy of Evyn Lê Espiritu, Margaux Fitoussi, and Kais Khimji available at http://www.ottomanhistorypodcast.com/2017/09/diaspora.html