Migrating to America: Transnational Social Networks and Regional Identity Among Turkish Migrants

(Hardback)

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Why do so many Turkish migrants choose to make their fortune in America when the proximity of Europe makes it a less costly risk Here Lisa DiCarlo offers us new insights into the study of identity and migration. She draws on research and the history of the Black Sea region going back to the early years of the modern Turkish Republic, to explain current Turkish labour migration trends.The forced ethnic migration between Greece and Turkey at the end of the Ottoman Empire stripped the Black Sea region of its artisans and merchants, weakening the economy and resulting in a trend of migration from this area. Through extensive field research Lisa DiCarlo reveals the kinship between Greeks and Turks originally from the Black Sea region. She argues current transnational chain migration from this area is led by regional identity over ethnicity. This strong regional bond leads Turkish migrants from the Black Sea region to follow Greek Black Sea migrants across the Atlantic to America, rather than their Turkish compatriots to Europe.

Reviews

"a rare display of scholarship and insight...DiCarlo's anthropological approach goes beyond the ordinary account of one group to shift our focus to the richness of the migration experienc...the use of biographies of migratns and of events and seasonal changes enhances the quality of the research and its excitement."

"It is unique in examining the historical context of this migration, exploring migration in its diverse streams, including an analysis of chain migration, transnationalism and return migration."-- Calvin Goldscheider, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Ungerleider Emeritus Professor of Judaic Studies, Department of Sociology, Brown University

"Dr. DiCarlo has written a masterful and important study...the book serves both Middle Eastern and Turkish specialists, and also population studies and migration specialists....The book certainly deserves to...become part of the classic literature of both democgraphic anthropology and of Middle Eastern ethnography.... In short this is a splendid book, and one that will attract considerable interest and positive commentary." -- William O.Beeman, Professor and Chair Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota

Author Bio

Lisa DiCarlo is Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Babson College, Massachusetts.