There are any number of factors one can choose from when forming and expressing his or her identity. Race, religion, nationality, gender, age, family, political affiliation, and socio-economic status are just some of the primary identity categories. And, depending on the setting, one might choose a different mix.
For example, when you are in a foreign country, you might identify yourself by nationality, whereas in your home country, you might identify yourself by your family, hometown, or religion.
In Jordan, people tended to state anywhere from three to five primary identity characteristics. But, in one particular exchange, I was surprised by one characteristic that wasn’t used, and the explanation why. Read more…
Sean Carberry Amman, Arab youth, Islam and Identity, Jordan
The entire time I was in Amman, I found myself struggling with how to describe the city. There was no clear reference for me – it wasn’t like Damascus, or Dubai, or any number of other Middle Eastern cities I’ve visited.
Despite having a population of roughly two million people, a number that would put Amman squarely in the top ten largest US cities, it doesn’t feel like any city of that size. It doesn’t have a clearly defined “downtown” or business district (although there is a massive construction project underway to build one). It has very few tall buildings, and for that matter, very few modern looking buildings. Read more…
Sean Carberry Amman, Cairo
Today was supposed to be a day packed with interviews with youth and professors in Zarqa – the second largest city in Jordan. The city is a 45-minute drive from Amman, and it’s a pretty stark contrast to the nice hotels, shops, and houses of the well-to-do West Amman.
Zarqa is more like East Amman – older, poorer, and more conservative. Whereas the streets of West Amman are full of women, few of whom are wearing headscarves, in East Amman you see fewer women, and a higher percentage wearing hijabs. In Zarqa, I saw maybe a handful of women without headscarves, and in general a much lower percentage of women in public compared to anywhere in Amman.
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Sean Carberry Amman, Arab youth, Jordan, Zarqa
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before… Taxi rides in Arab countries can often be dramatic, and in rare occasions traumatic. So far, the experience here in Jordan has been reasonable – most drivers have used their meters, and often have known where I was going without having to ask for directions (well, more than 2-3 times).
But last night, I ran into a less than savory taxi driver. I have to confess that it was after 1 am, so it didn’t surprise me that much, but the way the ride ended was troubling.
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Sean Carberry Amman, Jordan, Taxi
I hate to give away too much of what’s likely to be in my next radio piece, but this was too interesting of a moment not to share.
My fixer and I were planning on spending Friday evening at the Jara Souk (market) in Amman so I could interview/pester young Jordanians for our upcoming program on Arab youth and identity.
Unlike some of the grittier, and more massive, souks in the region, Jara Souk is clean, upscale, and calm. It is really just a long alleyway of vendor carts selling various crafts and wares. There is another alley that T’s off in the middle that has food vendors. There are no actual stores or buildings, the alley is walled off on both sides – it’s like walking down an aqueduct. Read more…
Sean Carberry Amman, Arab youth, globalization, identity, Jordan
There are any number of factors one can choose from when forming and expressing his or her identity. Race, religion, nationality, gender, age, family, political affiliation, and socio-economic status are just some of the primary identity categories. And, depending on the setting, one might choose a different mix.
