“What Kind of Migrant Are You?”—Iranian Migrants in the West, Racial Complexity and Myths of Belonging

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article addresses questions of identity among Iranian migrants using data from social media platforms. I believe the conceptual framework used is outside the scope of the journal's editorial interests. 

The heavy use of race theory in this article makes it relevant to other journals since Genology was always more focused on data analysis. With such a large part of the article dedicated to discussion of theory, I think there are better-suited journals for such an article. 

The discussion section takes only 40% of the article, the analysis is rather rudimentary since so much intellectual energy is used for the theoretical section; with such a ratio I think it is clear that this is not the correct match for this specific journal. 

Author Response

Comment: 

The article addresses questions of identity among Iranian migrants using data from social media platforms. I believe the conceptual framework used is outside the scope of the journal's editorial interests. 

The heavy use of race theory in this article makes it relevant to other journals since Geneology was always more focused on data analysis. With such a large part of the article dedicated to discussion of theory, I think there are better-suited journals for such an article. 

The discussion section takes only 40% of the article, the analysis is rather rudimentary since so much intellectual energy is used for the theoretical section; with such a ratio I think it is clear that this is not the correct match for this specific journal. 

Response:

Thank you very much for your feedback. I have revised the manuscript as per your suggestions. The section on group Identity which heavily focused on an epistemological understanding of racial identities and was considered as too theoretical has been deleted to adjust the balance of theory and discussion and the length of the paper. The rest of the theoretical background section on epistemic credibility of experience and the contradictory nature of experience is a crucial part of my argument and the backbone of my discussion, and any changes to that would affect the coherence and flow of the argument. The data analysis in the discussion section has been built on Realist Post-Positivist theory of identity, which is a rich foundation for looking at "racial experience"  from an empathetic perspective and it aligns with mobilities and precarious identities as the main theme of the special issue. 

I have used track changes in the revised manuscript for your attention.  Many thanks again for your feedback and support.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

A fabulous article on a Realist post positivist approach to experience and identity! I could not stop reading from beginning to end. I will recommend this article to all my students who are interested in the subject. The article is personable and essential at the same time. I can just compliment the writer on a thorough and profound article.

Author Response

Comment: A fabulous article on a Realist post positivist approach to experience and identity! I could not stop reading from beginning to end. I will recommend this article to all my students who are interested in the subject. The article is personable and essential at the same time. I can just compliment the writer on a thorough and profound article.

Response: Thank you so much for your positive and supportive feedback. I really appreciate the interest and the support through sharing work with your students. 

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I would advice the auther to take another look at the analysis section. The obvious is mentioned: the racial identiy of the immigrants vis-a-vis the larger society but more interesting and less obvious issues are glossed over. Take for example p. 22

"Some questions can be raised here: to assimilate into the new culture and society, what games do migrants play? Which game is a strategic one and which one is selling out? Some migrants describe the experience as an ontological crisis due to all the “uprooting” and “demythifying” that migrants have to do. Some examples below clarify this point"

This is a great quetion and does not get the attentino it deserves. 

Another one is: There are a plethora of racial and religious stereotypes that migrants need to explain and at times, they strategically bond over such “over-explanations” for integration purposes. Some also learn how to benefit from what I call “white pity” which is mostly of a gendere

This should be explored. This is a great observation and should be elaborated upon. 

 

 

Author Response

I would advice the auther to take another look at the analysis section. The obvious is mentioned: the racial identiy of the immigrants vis-a-vis the larger society but more interesting and less obvious issues are glossed over. Take for example p. 22

"Some questions can be raised here: to assimilate into the new culture and society, what games do migrants play? Which game is a strategic one and which one is selling out? Some migrants describe the experience as an ontological crisis due to all the “uprooting” and “demythifying” that migrants have to do. Some examples below clarify this point"

Cooemnts:

This is a great quetion and does not get the attentino it deserves. 

Another one is: There are a plethora of racial and religious stereotypes that migrants need to explain and at times, they strategically bond over such “over-explanations” for integration purposes. Some also learn how to benefit from what I call “white pity” which is mostly of a gendere

This should be explored. This is a great observation and should be elaborated upon. 

Response:

I have track changed the paragraphs that I have added as per the reviewer's feedback. The concepts of white pity and assimilation as raised by the reviewer have all been explored more in the track changes. Please see the final draft attached.