Identity, responsibility, then politics: The Uyghur Diaspora, Facebook and the construction of identity online

How are online and social media being used in transnational spaces? This paper presents empirical findings of an ongoing examination of the use of Facebook among the Uyghur diaspora. Described as a young ‘diaspora under construction’ (Dilnur, 2012, p.3), the authors demonstrate how online identities are negotiated and developed through social media use, and in turn how the expression of identity online is contributing to the youthful ‘Uyghur diasporic identity’. Drawing upon a content analysis of Facebook groups and pages, the authors attend to the construction of Uyghur ethnic identity within Facebook Group sites and to the ways Uyghur political identity is currently being developed online providing insight into how Facebook is serving as a space for global, daily online interactions, much used by members of the Uyghur diaspora. The examination of discussions on Facebook sites indicates online Uyghur identity has a youthful, emergent character, actively being explored and produced through social media use.