A comparison of two African groups in Turkey: How economic conditions affect the integration of Africans in Turkish society?

The main objective of this thesis is to analyze the social and economic condition of two African groups in Turkish society. Thesis focuses on two African groups based on their economic conditions; AGEC as Africans in good economic condition and APEC as Africans in poor economic condition. The main purpose for categorizing Africans into two groups is to clarify the issue whether there is a disintegration or marginalization of the Africans in poor economic condition living in suburb neighborhoods of İstanbul contrary to the Africans with a good economic income in Turkish society. In this regard, thesis basically discusses about effects of economic conditions on Africans integration status in Turkish society by analyzing their social identity and economic existence in the society. To reach a broader finding, thesis not only works on Africans in Turkish society but also analyzes Turkish citizens' perception about Africans. For this reason, there are three main groups. These groups are categorized based on their race and economic condition. Two groups consist of Africans living in Turkey, and third group includes Turkish citizens in touch with Africans (TITA) in Turkey. By comparing Turkish citizens and Africans' ideas, feelings and evaluation for one another, the findings were analyzed under "Social Identity Theory". As a result of this analysis, it was put forward to determine whether the integration of African and Turkish citizens is achieved or whether one group is marginalized by the other group due to economic status or other factors such as race, skin color, culture and belief.