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Yvonne Orji’s Docuseries, First Gen: First-Generational Narratives and the Impact on Audiences’ Community Cultural Wealth

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Abstract

The following chapter, applying community cultural wealth, examines first-generation Nigerian actress, comedienne, and producer Yvonne Orji’s YouTube docuseries, First Gen (2015–current). Utilizing qualitative discourse analysis, findings reveal that first-generation American immigrants’ experiences encourage and cultivate various forms of cultural capital, including aspiration and social capital, among immigrants and non-immigrant audiences. The narratives presented, and the subsequent audience comments, offer critique of intercultural differences including the tension often experienced by immigrants, managing familial and cultural expectations and Eurocentric practices, the media’s role in promoting assimilation, and the work of reimagining what constitutes an American identity.

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Correspondence to David L. Stamps .

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Stamps, D.L. (2021). Yvonne Orji’s Docuseries, First Gen: First-Generational Narratives and the Impact on Audiences’ Community Cultural Wealth. In: Banjo, O.O. (eds) Immigrant Generations, Media Representations, and Audiences. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75311-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75311-5_9

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-75310-8

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