Collective Memory Unpacked: The Impacts on Assyrian Diasporic youth


Eamama Daniyal, York University

Recent literature has shown that diasporic youth face transgenerational trauma from older generations, often pressuring them to preserve their identity through their collective memory. These memories are often rooted in violence and oppression which lead members of a collective group to use religion and politics as two main outlets for identity preservation and mobilization. In recent years, youth in the diaspora are seen using new tools and technology to redefine their position in the diaspora. I hypothesis that the collective memory of trauma and the recent shift away from being viewed as victim diasporas is apparent in 1.5 and 2nd generation Assyrian youth, between the age of 18-30, living in the diaspora. The research conduct aims to focus specifically on the Assyrian diasporic community. Assyrians are an Indigenous group to areas of modern-day Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. In order to better understand the intergenerational and continuous push for the preservation of Assyrian identity in the diaspora, key works of Memory studies will be engaged with such as, Maurice Halbwachs’ collective memory, Giled Hirschberger’s conversation on collective trauma and Marianne Hirsch’s postmemory. This research will focus on the relationship between Assyrian diasporic youth and how they use their collective memory to redefine their collective diasporic identity. Specifically, I pose the following question; How has the collective identity of Assyrian youth in the diaspora been impacted by their collective memory? It is important to note that the discourse and scholarly work on these diasporas is still fairly new and so a comparative approach to different racial, ethnic, and religious minority groups will be used to map similar trajectories for Assyrian youth in the diaspora. A particular intersection, which will be the focus of this research, is between diasporic youth in their redefining process and their use of social movements and participation in religious, political, and cultural organizations to mobilize change. This study looks at different student and youth led Assyrian North American organizations, and how they provide a space for Assyrian youth to maintain their identity while using new tools from the diaspora. Through the participation and collaboration with and between organizations and groups, one diasporic youth group is able to build ties and a wider sense of community with other diasporic groups that aim to promote the same or similar message. Some of these organizations include but are not limited to cultural organizations like; the Assyrian Chaldean Syriac Student Union (Canada), Assyrian Student Association (USA), and Assyrian Youth Federation of America (USA). As well the research hopes to also bring into the conversation emerging religious, church-based, youth groups as a contributing factor to the diasporic identity building process. The goal is to shift the narrative away from diasporas as victims and prey to assimilation into host country, to one where youth are creating a new sense of belonging while maintaining a proud and confident connection to their identity.

This paper will be presented at the following session: