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Paper short abstract:

This paper analyzes how West African asylum seekers in Italy manipulate their self-presentation on social media in the effort to unlock a positive future. This manipulation of information represents a way to cultivate relationships and honor social obligations, rather than a form of deception.

Paper long abstract:

This paper focuses on the use of social media by West African men seeking asylum in Italy. Drawing on ethnographic data, I will analyze how they manipulate their online communication in the attempt to assure themselves a positive future. First, I will analyze how their self-representation as “genuine refugees” to social media followers increases their chances of being recognized as “genuine refugees” by state authorities. I will interpret this online fabrication against the backdrop of African popular culture of “make believe”. Adopting an emic point of view, I will then show that the construction of a “good” future in Europe requires spiritual harmony that can be achieved by cultivating “good relationships” on social media with one's family members and peers. Through forms of communication that skillfully combine informing and concealing, people secure prayers and blessings and avoid jealousy and mystical attacks that could undermine their migratory projects. Throughout my paper, this manipulation of information will not emerge as a form of deception, but as an attempt to honor social expectations and moral obligations, while pursuing personal aspirations. Maintaining secrets and lying will be seen as ways to express affection and respect, keeping existing relationships alive and forming new ones; discretion will be connected to cultural norms that praise vagueness over the clear communication of painful information, bypassing the (moral) distinction between sincerity and fabrication.