Living Foreignness/Community: Potentiality and “Ordinary” Performances of Being/Non-Being

“Aliens” in the United States: A Collaborative Autoethnography of Foreign-Born Faculty

“…In line with intersectionality, we conceptualize foreignness in a performative way that does not equate foreignness with national identity or citizenship status (Mitra, 2012; Śliwa & Johansson, 2014). Indeed, the lines between “foreign” and “citizen” are often blurred, as citizens can be presumed to be and treated as foreign (Lawless & Chen, 2015).…”

“…Indeed, the lines between “foreign” and “citizen” are often blurred, as citizens can be presumed to be and treated as foreign (Lawless & Chen, 2015). Our approach views foreignness as layered and manifested in multiple sites that mark individuals as “foreign” in everyday interactions (Mitra, 2012, 2014). Being hailed as foreign is, thus, inextricably tied to the performance of national identity, race, native language, accent, and class, among other dimensions (Lawless & Chen, 2017; Mitra, 2012).…”

“…Our approach views foreignness as layered and manifested in multiple sites that mark individuals as “foreign” in everyday interactions (Mitra, 2012, 2014). Being hailed as foreign is, thus, inextricably tied to the performance of national identity, race, native language, accent, and class, among other dimensions (Lawless & Chen, 2017; Mitra, 2012). Although foreignness may not be readily visible, it can become salient at any time through comments such as “you speak English well!” “where is your accent from?” “you look American to me!” or “are you eligible to vote?”…”