New Books in Anthropology

Jack Crangle, "Migrants, Immigration and Diversity in Twentieth-century Northern Ireland: British, Irish or 'Other’?" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023)

Sep 20, 2024

Jack Crangle, an author delving deep into national identity and immigration in twentieth-century Northern Ireland, discusses the complexities of belonging in a divided society. He highlights the experiences of diverse immigrant groups, including Italians, Indians, and Vietnamese, amidst the backdrop of the Troubles. Crangle questions if migrants could remain neutral in such a politicized environment and explores how these identities evolved over generations. His insights challenge traditional narratives and emphasize the need for a broader understanding of multiculturalism in contemporary contexts.

53:46

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Jack Crangle

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Quick takeaways

Dr. Jack Crangle's research illustrates the profound impact of diverse immigrant communities on the social dynamics of Northern Ireland, highlighting their integration struggles within a politically charged environment.

The podcast examines the complex interplay of religion, racism, and sectarianism in Northern Ireland, emphasizing the historical neglect of racism amid the focus on sectarian conflicts.

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Intro

3min

Exploring Multicultural Narratives in Northern Ireland

11min

Migrants and Religious Identity in Northern Ireland

10min

Navigating Identity Amidst Sectarian Strife

16min

Historical Perspectives on Immigration and Diversity in Northern Ireland

2min

Identity and Diversity in Northern Ireland

10min

Addressing questions about what it means to be ‘British’ or ‘Irish’ in the twenty-first century, Migrants, Immigration and Diversity in Twentieth-Century Northern Ireland: British, Irish or “Other”? (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023) focuses its attention on twentieth-century Northern Ireland and demonstrates how the fragmented and disparate nature of national identity shaped and continues to shape responses to social issues such as immigration. Immigrants moved to Northern Ireland in their thousands during the twentieth century, continuing to do so even during three decades of the Troubles, a violent and bloody conflict that cost over 3,600 lives.

Foregrounding the everyday lived experiences of settlers in this region, in this groundbreaking book, Dr Jack Crangle comparatively examines the perspectives of Italian, Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese migrants in Northern Ireland, outlining the specific challenges of migrating to this small, intensely divided part of the UK. The book explores whether it was possible for migrants and minorities to remain ‘neutral’ within an intensely politicised society and how internal divisions affected the identity and belonging of later generations. An analysis of diversity and immigration within this divided society enhances our understanding of the forces that can shape conceptions of national insiders and outsiders - not just in the UK and Ireland - but across the world. It provokes and addresses a range of questions about how conceptions of nationality, race, culture and ethnicity have intersected to shape attitudes towards migrants. In doing so, the book invites scholars to embrace a more diverse, ‘four-nation’ approach to UK immigration studies, making it an essential read for all those interested in the history of migration in the UK.

This interview was conducted by Niall Herron, a PhD student at Queen's University Belfast in Anthropological Studies, researching queer assemblages during the Troubles in NI.

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