Society For Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional Practice Exam

What does diaspora refer to?

1. People forced to leave their homeland

2. People traveling outside their home countries to work

3. People wanting to collectively enhance their skills

4. A medical illness that requires short-term disability coverage

The correct answer is: People forced to leave their homeland

Diaspora specifically refers to groups of people who have been forced to leave their homeland. Historically, the term is often associated with various groups that have migrated due to persecution, war, or other significant adverse conditions, leading to a scattering of communities across different geographical regions. This dispersal can create strong ties to their cultural identity and heritage while living outside their original homeland, often leading to a focus on maintaining their traditions and community connections despite physical distance. The other options, while related to migration or action outside of one's homeland, do not accurately capture the essence of the term "diaspora." The notion of traveling outside one's country to work, for instance, falls under the context of labor migration, and while skill enhancement involves a collective ambition, it does not align with the historical and cultural connotations associated with diaspora. Additionally, a medical illness linked to short-term disability has no relation to the concept of diaspora, which centers around social and cultural experiences rather than health-related issues.