在香港的英屬殖民時期，“混血兒（Eurasian）被限定為一個特別的種族分類。其身份在殖民主義和種族主義的多重迫力下被限定和汙名化，其社會境遇一路荊棘，深受社會道德機制的譴責與排斥。然而，在當代香港的後殖民語境中，混血兒的境遇發生了戲劇性的變化。“混血兒作為“種族分類(racial category)已然消失，現在則普遍以一種美化的象徵性身份（emblematic identity）概念而存在。人們對混血兒的認識亦脫離了種族與階級背景，而更多地建立在一種文化想像上。它甚至成為了“國際化的代名詞和“優生的標準之一，被媒體審美刻板化及商品化。本文觀察了香港混血兒在殖民時期與後殖民時期中的境遇變遷，通過研究“混血兒概念的建立、消失、和回潮，剖析“種族（race）是如何在不同語境中被建構的，並試圖解構種族理論、種族主義的政治、社會與文化淵源。 / Within Hong Kong, the term “Eurasian once designated a stigmatized racial category, a group of “natural aberrations that were positioned in an embarrassing social niche within colonial society. As a consequence of this, Eurasians experienced severe racism and intense social pressures. In keeping pace with the end of colonialism and the rise of the new global capitalist order, the racial category of “Eurasian has been abandoned. However, somewhat surprisingly, the status of Eurasians in this day and age has been dramatically reversed. It now only exists as a descriptive term for a desirable physical type, which is assumed, to some extent, to be emblematic of “natural beauty. Being “Eurasian has now become a locally imagined “superior result of reproduction. By examining the creation, decline, and recent rebirth of the concept of “Eurasian, I hope to raise several important questions about race. Applying historical research to the construction of race requires analysis of how shifting political and social power dynamics have shaped the realization and so-called “authenticity of the “Eurasian category. At a broader level, this study seeks to add to the debate about how the idea of “race is constrained by political, social and cultural factors, and how people culturally imagine “the science of race in different social contexts. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Deng, Yuanye. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 216-227). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Acknowledgment --- p.vi / Figure Caption --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Statement of the Problem and Scope of Research --- p.1 / Historical Background and Theoretical Context --- p.8 / Methodology --- p.26 / Chapter Overview --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Eurasians in Early Colonial Hong Kong --- p.34 / Introduction --- p.35 / Stigmatization of Eurasians --- p.38 / Desiring to be Another: “Passing --- p.59 / Eurasians’ Roles in Colonial Hong Kong --- p.68 / Conclusion --- p.75 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- The Disappearance and the Return of “Eurasian --- p.80 / Introduction --- p.80 / Disappearance of “Eurasian in Post-colonial Hong Kong --- p.82 / The Return of “Eurasian --- p.96 / Conclusion --- p.106 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Eurasians in the Post-Colonial Period --- p.108 / Introduction --- p.108 / “Mixed Beauty: The Fantasized Idea of Eurasians --- p.111 / Approaching Eurasian Beauty --- p.132 / What Do Eurasians Think of the “Eurasian Look? --- p.142 / Conclusion --- p.147 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- The Contemporary Cultural Meaning of “Eurasian --- p.150 / Introduction --- p.150 / “Eurasian Beauty: A Locally Driven Aesthetic --- p.151 / The Cultural Meaning of “Eurasian Today --- p.161 / Living as a Eurasian in Contemporary Hong Kong --- p.167 / Conclusion --- p.184 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusion --- p.188 / Racialized “Eurasian --- p.188 / Deconstructing the “Scientific Notion of Race --- p.204 / Bibliography --- p.216

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published_or_final_version / Sociology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Sojourn is a Leitwort (leading word) in the ancestral narratives of Genesis, appearing 17 times in its various forms: verbal, √דונ gûr; and nominal, rGE gēr and rAgm' māgôr. Sojourn is an indicator of alienation and estrangement from land and community, yet it is repeatedly accentuated as an important descriptor of the patriarchs’ identity and experience. What accounts for this counter-intuitive emphasis? This thesis makes the case that the narrative development of sojourn in Genesis contributes to a strong communal identity for biblical Israel. Detailed exegetical analysis of the texts shows sojourn to strengthen biblical Israel’s ethnic identity in ways that are varied and at times paradoxical. Its very complexity, however, makes it particularly useful as a resource for group identity at times when straightforward categories of territorial and social affiliation fail. This study draws upon the sociological theory of Anthony D. Smith to structure its investigation of sojourn as a contributor to ethnic identity. Smith’s understanding of ethnic myth emphasizes the central functions of an ethnoscape (a symbolically significant geography) and a myth of election (an account of chosenness) in constructing communal identity. Ethnic myth uses the history of a communal past, constructed around these dual elements, to create a vision with directive capacity for the future of the ethnie; that is, to shape the ethics of the community. Smith’s categories of ethnoscape, election, and ethics provide analytical tools that reveal a distinctive role for sojourn in strengthening Israel’s ethnic myth. The Genesis sojourn texts are divided into three groups according to literary form: itinerary notices, promise speeches, and narrative dialogues. The tri-part division corresponds with a focus upon each of Smith’s three categories above, respectively. Close readings of each text in its narrative context result in an overall portrait of sojourn as a significant contributor to the strength and durability of Israel’s ethnic identity.

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The unfortunate disparity in achievement among minority and low income students is well-documented. Multiple social, structural, and psychological variables have been presented to try to explain the achievement gap. Researchers have also considered an individual’s racial-ethnic identity (REI) as an important variable that contributes to achievement outcomes. Oyserman and colleagues developed a model of REI that emphasizes three key factors of one’s racial-ethnic identity that have a direct impact on achievement. Further, her model posits that the interaction between two key REI variables, feelings of connectedness to one’s REI group (connectedness) and the perception that one’s racial-ethnic group values achievement (embedded achievement), contributes to positive achievement outcomes. Although research has suggested that REI significantly impacts achievement, the specific processes by which this occurs are less known. Considering the social-cognitive literature, it is plausible that different psychological and motivational beliefs mediate the relationship between REI and achievement-related outcomes. This dissertation study examines the mediating effect of sense of school belonging and perceived sense of school engagement on the relationship between REI (embedded achievement and connectedness) and academic achievement of minority middle school students longitudinally through the use of structural equation modeling. Results indicate that embedded achievement significantly predicts academic achievement. Furthermore, sense of belonging to school mediates this relationship for all racial and gender groups. Results also revealed that embedded achievement significantly predicted student perceived engagement for Hispanic students. Strategies to promote sense of belonging and embedded achievement at the personal, structural, community, peer, and family levels are discussed.

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In Singapore the state defines the parameters of 'ethnic' identity on the basis of the ideology of multiracialism, in which any particular 'ethnic' identity is subsumed under national identity and permitted expression in cultural and economic, but not political, terms. Multiracialism's appeal for the state as well as for its citizens lies in its objective: social cohesion between and equality for the four officially recognized 'racial' groups. Nevertheless, from the viewpoint of the 'Indian' community, this thesis demonstrates how the multiple layers of meaning given to the doctrine and practice of multiracialism by various social actors and their interactions create tensions and contestations in reconciling 'ethnic' and national identity. Public expression of 'ethnic' politics is considered by the state as subversive towards the nation, although the state itself implements its ideology through a stringent regime of 'racial' management directed at every aspect of a Singaporean's social, cultural, economic and political life. The thesis addresses important issues involving 'racial' and 'ethnic' identity, modes of 'ethnic' interaction and nation building in the multiethnic and globalised context of Singapore in general and in 'Little India' in particular. This area, though theoretically democratic in nature, is embedded in state-civil society power relations, with the state setting the agenda for 'ethnic' maintenance and identity. My research interviews demonstrate the dominating and hegemonic power of the state, its paternalistic governance, and its wide network of social control mechanisms organizing 'ethnicity' in Singapore. The historical decision, made firstly by the British colonial administration and thereafter perpetuated by the nation state, to make 'race' the basis of all social classification has had far-reaching consequences. With the postcolonial state wishing to be the sole authority over 'ethnic' practices and discourse, Singaporeans' lives have been heavily conditioned by its impact, which I argue resembles to some extent the 'divide and rule' policy of the colonial regime. 'Race' as the structuring principle and accepted reality of Singapore society since colonial days is so entrenched that it has been essentialised and institutionalised by the state as well as by the people in contemporary Singapore. The terms 'race' and 'ethnicity' are used interchangeably and synonymously in daily usage, though "race" is preferred by political leaders, academics and the population at large. I will argue that with 'race' as the reference point ethnic communities that migrated from China, India and other places became socially, culturally and economically segregated and polarised from colonial days to such an extent that extensive stereotypes and prejudices have fed on their lives. Such perspectives have led to differing constructions of national identity discourses presented by the nation state based on its objectives of 'racial' integration, economic development and national identity. By way of interview and survey material I demonstrate that 'race', ethnicity and national identity as defined and managed by the state have not only been inextricably linked in the everyday lives of Singaporeans but more importantly they have resulted in a resurgence of ethnic consciousness in the last three decades or so, thereby undermining the state's attempts at national identity. My findings are based on responses by Singaporean Indians to various social engineering policies employed by the state as strategies for integrating the diverse ethnic groups and anchored on the ideologies of multiracialism, multiculturalism, multilingualism, multireligiosity and meritocracy. My respondents perceive that these policies are not proactive in fostering 'racial' integration because of growing social and economic inequalities brought about by the collision of ethnic and national identities with 'race'. They feel that the government has strayed from its declared goal of 'multiracialism', emphasized all along as critical to the strength, stability and growth of the nation. Such a situation, they argue, does not augur well for a common national identity that remains elusive in the eyes and minds of Singaporeans.

Four studies (focus groups, exploratory and confirmatory analysis, and follow-up interviews) were designed to investigate people's experiences of biculturalism, particularly as they related to ethnic identity, identity conflict and integration, and hybridity, and to develop a new instrument that would better tap at the concept of biculturalism. Previous literature conducted by Benet-Martinez (2002, 2005) identified two relevant axes for bicultural identity: conflict-harmony and distance-overlap, while Yip (2005), Phinney (1991) and Noels (2004) emphasized the role of context for biculturals. We identified five interrelated dimensions, which provide a better understanding of the experiences of biculturalism. These dimensions are conflict (a perceived discord between the two cultures), monocultural orientation (the desire to be part of only one of the two cultures), flexibility (the alternation of behaviours and attitudes depending on the context), compatibility (perceived congruence between the two cultures) and hybridity (the blend of the two cultures to create one). A new instrument, the Bicultural Identity Orientation Scale, was developed based on the literature review and the anecdotal evidence provided by the participants. The instrument showed validity and reliability. The implications and future directions are discussed in light of the findings.

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