Thesis
Nuestras voces: Digital testimonios of first-generation Chicanx women
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
05/2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004039
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/125303
Abstract
This project centers first-generation Chicanx women's voices and experiences in a predominantly white institution through the use of digital testimonios. A total of five first-generation Chicanx women, both currently enrolled or already graduated from a predominantly white university in the Pacific North West, participated in a two-and-a-half-day digital testimonios workshop. The testimoniadoras collectively learned how to create their digital testimonios using digital devices and software with my guidance. As a way to honor the stories of the testimoniadoras, their narratives were not subject to the typical western research analysis. Instead, I, the "researcher" share my testimonio as a first-generation Chicanx woman "facilitating" this workshop and examining my own assumptions and understandings of being what is typically called the "researcher". I drew from Anzaldúa's (2012) borderlands framework and Indigenous epistemologies to guide me through this reflection process. My testimonio of the experience being the "facilitator" of this workshop speaks to the constant splitting of selves and research purposes found in western research paradigms. It also focuses on the importance of centering relationships in the workshop journey of creating the digital and written testimonios. This work supports the rejection of dominant research practices which have marginalized the voices and experiences of those who do not fit mainstream white society. This work also speaks to the importance of centering relations when working with first-generation Chicanx women, as well as the importance of not subjecting their stories/testimonios to the gaze of dominant Western research analysis. There is important knowledge to learn from groups that have been relegated to the margins if administrators at PWIs allowed themselves to hear their narratives to inform the much-needed changes in predominantly white institutions of education to move towards a more equitable education for all students.
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Details
- Title
- Nuestras voces
- Creators
- Sandra Esmerelda Larios
- Contributors
- Pamela J Bettis (Advisor) - Washington State University, Department of Teaching and Learning
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Teaching and Learning
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Identifiers
- 99900890794101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis