Abstract
This contribution investigates the complex relationship between macro-level political discourses on diversity and micro-level experiences of social integration and everyday interaction. The case studies for analysis comprise of two regional sub-state nationalist contexts, Scotland and South Tyrol, Italy. Scotland is a nation state that defines itself vis-a-vis the rest UK and where a discourse has emerged that Scottish nationalism is both civic and inclusive. South Tyrol is a self-governed autonomy in northern Italy which remains a liminal space between Austria and Italy and is presented as a model to protect minorities. We argue for developing a critical stance on diversity discourses identified in these two-regions. Based on in-depth narrative interviews with young adults of mixed migration background, our perspective examines the relationship between macro-narratives and micro-level lived experiences of discrimination, ontological (in)securities, and everyday social interactions. Firstly, we address how macro-level national identity discourses manifest themselves in microlevel everyday interactions. Secondly, we look at how young adults incorporate the discourse in their everyday narratives, sometimes to the point of excluding their own experiences of discrimination. In this way, we trace the negotiation of belongingness in these two contexts.