Open AccessRebuilding Home Around Hardened Borders
Author(s) -
Melody Yunzi Li
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of the british association for chinese studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2048-0601
DOI - 10.51661/bjocs.v10i0.77
Subject(s) - diaspora , homecoming , narrative , contest , china , history , state (computer science) , power (physics) , covid-19 , media studies , sociology , political science , literature , gender studies , art , law , art history , computer science , medicine , physics , disease , archaeology , algorithm , quantum mechanics , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Anti-Chinese sentiment and sinophobia have arisen as one of the current corona virus’s most serious side effects. These conditions have challenged the Chinese diasporic community’s sense of home. Far from mere diversion in a time of turmoil, Chinese literature has the power to disrupt state narratives and contest polarising claims from politicians. Online literature during the pandemic has not been limited to the Chinese diaspora, and its themes have not been limited to hate crimes. Online literature in the diaspora and in China debunks grand narratives set by the state, and provides a sense of nonphysical homecoming for them. Like these Chinese diasporic writers, we too can find our belonging with each other virtually.