Journeying toward the nation(al): cultural difference at the crossroads of old and new globalisations

The superimposition of new migratory flows linked to post‐Cold War global realignments upon older migratory flows marked by the global alignments of colonialism have profoundly marked contemporary Britain. Alongside policies and practices of security aimed especially at Muslims, struggles over the meaning of the plurality of cultural forms signalled by ‘multiculturalism’ have assumed a central place in government, media and popular discourse as the provenance and scope of Britishness and citizenship are debated in attempts to foster social cohesion. Against this context, and with specific reference to the British Caribbean population, this article explores the shifting subject positions and subjectivities that are constituted in the crucible of cultural difference and multiple forms of border crossing, and the anxieties these produce as they expose the instabilities inherent in the constitution of nation and national belonging. The superimposition of new migratory flows linked to post‐Cold War global realignments upon older migratory flows marked by the global alignments of colonialism have profoundly marked contemporary Britain. Alongside policies and practices of security aimed especially at Muslims, struggles over the meaning of the plurality of cultural forms signalled by ‘multiculturalism’ have assumed a central place in government, media and popular discourse as the provenance and scope of Britishness and citizenship are debated in attempts to foster social cohesion. Against this context, and with specific reference to the British Caribbean population, this article explores the shifting subject positions and subjectivities that are constituted in the crucible of cultural difference and multiple forms of border crossing, and the anxieties these produce as they expose the instabilities inherent in the constitution of nation and national belonging