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Analysis of Discourse about a Homeland Disaster and Ethnic Identity at a Korean-American Digital Diaspora

Abstract This study examines how a diaspora of Korean Americans connected online perceived the homeland disaster of the sinking of the Sewol ferry, which took 304 lives, and to what extent their perceptions relate to ethnic identity. Results are drawn from 1,000 comments posted on MissyUSA, the largest online community for Korean Americans. Additionally, 70 online interviews were conducted 1.5 years after the tragedy to gauge lingering effects. The findings demonstrate that the diasporic discourse about the disaster was fraught with emotions. While guilt, grief and anger reminded Korean Americans of their ethnic identity, shame made them question what it means to be Korean. Drawing upon ethnic identity negotiation theory, this study illuminates the interconnection between online ethnic communication, emotions, and ethnic identity.