Becoming Arab in London: Performativity and the Undoing of Identity

by Ramy M. K. Aly

In this, the first ethnographic exploration of gender, race, and class practices among British-born or British-raised Arabs in London, Ramy M. K. Aly looks critically at the idea of “Arab-ness” and the ways in which London produces, marks, and understands ethnic subjects. Looking at everyday experiences, Becoming Arab in London explores the lives of young people and the ways in which they perform or achieve Arab ethnicity. Aly uncovers narratives of growing up in London, the codes of sociability at Shisha, and the sexual politics and ethnic self-portraits that construct British-Arab men and women.
            Drawing on the work of Judith Butler, Aly emphasizes the need to move away from the concept of identity and toward the idea of race, gender, and class as performance. Based on seven years of fieldwork, during which time the author immersed himself in London’s Arab community, Becoming Arab in London is an innovative and necessary contribution to the study of diaspora and difference in contemporary Britain.

280 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2014

Reviews

[* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great work and insightful for those seeking to understand the interrelation of identity and place.

To be able to immerse yourself in this, one must be familiar with Butler’s work and the historical context of Arab London.

I have enjoyed reading this piece of work very much.