Emancipatory Research Practices: Womanist Epistemological Research and Storytelling
Location
1053
Format Type
Event
Format Type
Workshop
Start Date
January 2019
End Date
January 2019
Abstract
Womanist epistemology research (WER) centers the everyday experiences of Black women as a prerequisite to addressing philosophical problems related to the concepts of knowledge and truth. WER explores, assesses, and exposes covert agendas, power imbalances, power focal points, and assumptions that inhibit, stifle, and constrict the progress of Black individuals, families, and communities; additionally, WER considers how women evoke agency in hostile social environments. The female voice is authenticated through storytelling, the use of proverbs and affirmations, idioms, lyrics, and whatever is deemed essential for the knowledge to be conveyed. Storytelling is used to promote community building and simultaneously functions as a point of resistance through counter storytelling. Texts in autoethnography and duo ethnography have diverse formats and share similar elements with WER, such as bringing different life experiences and ways of knowing, and perspectives to a shared phenomenon. Through this form of storytelling three main components: collaboration, critical dialogue, and transformative methodology are achieved. This workshop explores how indigenous storytelling, is supported through auto and duo ethnography serve as tools of resistance and empowerment for women living at the intersections of gender and power.
Keywords
Storytelling, Womanist, Emancipatory Research, Autoethnography
Emancipatory Research Practices: Womanist Epistemological Research and Storytelling
1053
Womanist epistemology research (WER) centers the everyday experiences of Black women as a prerequisite to addressing philosophical problems related to the concepts of knowledge and truth. WER explores, assesses, and exposes covert agendas, power imbalances, power focal points, and assumptions that inhibit, stifle, and constrict the progress of Black individuals, families, and communities; additionally, WER considers how women evoke agency in hostile social environments. The female voice is authenticated through storytelling, the use of proverbs and affirmations, idioms, lyrics, and whatever is deemed essential for the knowledge to be conveyed. Storytelling is used to promote community building and simultaneously functions as a point of resistance through counter storytelling. Texts in autoethnography and duo ethnography have diverse formats and share similar elements with WER, such as bringing different life experiences and ways of knowing, and perspectives to a shared phenomenon. Through this form of storytelling three main components: collaboration, critical dialogue, and transformative methodology are achieved. This workshop explores how indigenous storytelling, is supported through auto and duo ethnography serve as tools of resistance and empowerment for women living at the intersections of gender and power.
Comments
Breakout Session C