The word “diaspora” has accumulated multiple connotations since its initial iterations in Greek centuries ago. Beyond a mere “dispersal” of people across the globe, diasporas are rich communities filled with emotional memories, artistic expressions and vibrant economies. 

Diasporas are also targets of xenophobic hate and racist stigma, occasionally resulting in various forms of violence. The tensions and beauty around the term emerge from our complicated notions of “home.” Where is home and what do we do to maintain connections to a place/time when we live elsewhere? While each individual navigates these issues in specific ways, everyone can agree that crossing borders is a learning experience. Diasporas oblige both “home” and “host” groups to engage with human difference and try to make sense of it all. It’s not easy.