Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
2-2024
Document Type
Capstone Project
Degree Name
M.A.
Program
International Migration Studies
Advisor
David Brotherton
Subject Categories
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
Latin American migrants, as content creators and consumers, active on the social media platform, TikTok, weave webs of ‘self’ across borders, employing narrative identity as a framework to challenge depictions, build community, and navigate power along the migrant journey. Amidst a dramatic rise in both US-bound and global migration, my analysis examines the interplay between technology and migrant narratives and identities across online and offline spaces. While deportation regimes, migration policies, mainstream technology, and state control over migrant bodies impose limitations, social media emerges as a crucial tool for navigating journeys and constructing identities in transit. This academic review explores the evolving relationship between contemporary migration theory, social psychology, and social media, focusing on the impact of platforms such as TikTok on global migrant communities. Specifically, it examines the experiences of Latin American migrants in the United States, emphasizing the role of social media in migration discourse, narrative identity formation, virtual spaces for migrants, and the implications of communication within the contexts of capitalism, Marxism, and social media. By empowering themselves through narrative control and leveraging social media through community engagement and content creation, migrants can confront stereotypes and dispel misconceptions propagated by mainstream media. This proactive approach serves to counteract the dehumanization and marginalization of migrants, frequently employed to rationalize oppressive policies and illicit practices within the deportation regime. This analysis delves into existing literature to illuminate the intricate landscape of academic discourse and dialogue surrounding social media's role in this context.
Recommended Citation
May, Camille D., "Developing Autonomy and Identity on TikTok Among Recently Arrived Latin American Migrants to the United States" (2024). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5707