[Last modified: December, 5 2024 09:34 PM]
Positionality refers to the social and cultural context that informs one’s identity and perspective, including how these intersect with power dynamics. My positionality as a Black woman plays a critical role in shaping how I approach, interpret, and engage with this study.
My personal experiences with systemic racism, microaggressions, and exclusion inform my awareness of racial dynamics, allowing me to recognize subtleties in social interactions that others might overlook. This lived experience provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges and complexities of interracial relationships. While my identity offers valuable insights, it may also influence my expectations or interpretations of certain behaviors. For instance, I might be more attuned to noticing segregation patterns or inequities, which could unintentionally overshadow instances of genuine cross-cultural interaction. Additionally, my shared identity with some participants in the study might foster trust, encouraging more open and honest engagement. However, I must navigate the ethical responsibility of ensuring that I do not project my own lived experiences onto their narratives.
My intersectional identity as a woman enables me to observe how gendered and racialized experiences converge in social interactions. For instance, the predominance of women in interracial groups might reflect broader trends of women engaging more readily in bridge-building across cultures. Being both Black and a woman places me at a unique vantage point, allowing me to critique and navigate the layered experiences of marginalization and representation.
As an anthropologist, I occupy the dual roles of both outsider and insider. As an outsider, I bring the objective lens of a researcher, while as a Black woman, I share certain lived experiences with some of my interlocutors. This duality enriches my analysis, offering insights that might not be accessible to those without my background. However, this access comes with significant responsibility. I must remain reflexive and ensure that my positionality strengthens, rather than biases, the integrity of my research.