Articles+&+Resources

Research from Scholarly Journals:
1.[| Migration and Identities in a Globalized World]- This journal article explores how the idea of identity formation strictly developing in one's specific cultural upbringing is problematic. What we can learn from wasp colonies in Panama is that acceptance of the others is crucial in a more-than-ever porous planet. Instead of understanding our identities as static roles, we should see them as ever-changing. The report investigates how the wasps do not care so much for newcomers as long as they are working to add value to the general public.

2. [|Imagining a Life Under the Long Shadow of 9/11] - This journal article reflects on how at times of terrorism ethnic group or different cultures have their identities formed for them; they are unable to negotiate their identities against the backdrop of provocative images and narratives that demonize their ethnicity. This is similar to what is happening with the Boston bombers.

The Boston Bombers: Case of Identity Formation (Negotiation)
[|The Wrong Kind of Caucasian - Aljazeera] - This article explains how the Boston Bombers cultural heritage plays a pivotal, yet false role in the formation of their identity. It explores how America has tried to say that the older 26 year old brother might be named after a [|vicious ruler]. It also tells how the media, in light of the lack of common knowledge about Chechnya, has pumped the historical narrative of the region fraught with political peril into the limelight as a way of understanding the reasons why the Boston Bombers decided to terrorize the Boston Marathon.

[|The Psychology of Unity - The Atlantic] - This article explains the notion of "splitting". It talks about how we like to see things as "either this or that" because it helps our mind stay at ease. This could be helpful in understanding binaries when it comes to race, culture, ethnicity.

[|Suspect with Foot in Two Worlds - The New York TImes] - This article hits home with the idea of having a trace of two different cultures that make someone a "hybrid" identity. In criminal cases like these, it is interesting to see how a narrative is formed about the bombers.

**Introductory Non-Fiction Article: Basic Terms and Concepts Associated with Identity Formation**
This is a basic, accessible overview of some key elements of identity formation, including acculturation, assimilation, and ethnic identity. This article would be a great place to start when introducing students to these ideas. One useful activity would be to create diverse, heterogeneous student groups and have them discuss how (and if) they became acculturated and/or assimilated into American culture, or even the regional culture if they moved to the area from another part of the country.
 * [|Adolescence and Identity Formation] -**