Braiding as a Feminist Methodology: Tensions and Possibilities of Weaving Together. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ward, Amber
• Is Part Of: Cultural studies, critical methodologies. Volume 21:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: braiding -- feminist methodology -- narrative -- weaving -- figures -- coalitions; Culture -- Research -- Periodicals; Popular culture -- Research -- Periodicals; 306.05
• DOI: 10.1177/1532708620953200
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1532-7086

Abstract

A transnational feminist paradigm guides this inquiry when braiding narratives, both literally and abstractly, as a feminist methodology for data analysis. The data include personal narratives (memories and thoughts imprinted on my body, spirit, and mind), master narratives (collaborative databases and public sites), and counter narratives (articles, books, and videos). The braid offers opportunities to (re)imagine coalitional possibilities through figures ( and ) that materialize in the tension of weaving together. When foregrounding self-reflection in the context of weaving together, I explore supremacy, positionality, and representation. The assemblage of figures leads me to a colleague turned friend turned collaborator who reminds me to work with productive tension toward love.