Title: Transforming Women of Color.
Topic: The transformation of women of color through
the liminal phase.
Theory:
My paper will focus on the theory of Liminality in accordance
to liminality defined by Victor Turner.
In his research, Turner describes liminality as a period in which one
lives in opposing realities. The realities that I will use in my paper, will be
that of women identifying as a person of color while attempting to thrive in an
opposing society. It is in his research
paper “Liminality and Communitas,” That Turner further defines those in the liminal
stage as being “neither here nor there;
they are betwixt and between the positions assigned and arrayed by law, custom,
convention, and ceremony” (1969: 95). I will expand his theory of
liminality by attributing it to how women of color use this liminal phase to
secure a better socio economic status. I will also incorporate the theory of
double bind described by Gegory Bateson. In his theory, Bateson defines double
bind as an error in communication when an individual receives two opposing messages.
The two opposing messages received by women of color that I will expand on will
be; pressures from their kin groups to maintain their culture identity and pressures
from society to transform into an identity that is normalized by a collective social
consciousness.
Elevator Pitch:
The
purpose of my research paper will be to assess the issues and effects of
liminality in women of color; while also incorporating other theories. Historically,
women of color have had to face many hardships, as a result of being not only
women, but also of color; because of this, they have also been ascribed to a
low socioeconomic status. It is in my paper that I will grasp a better
understanding of how women of color are able to raise their socio-economic status
through a period of liminality. I will also explore how women of color are able
to maintain or abandon their identity of belonging to a distinctive cultural
group while desiring to be a member in an opposing culture. In the attempt to
fit into society standards, the liminal phase can either positive or negative. My paper will examine the effects of liminality
in women of color, the importance of liminality, how it is maintained and supported.
References/ Bibliography:
1. Comas-Diaz,
Lillian and Greene, Beverly
2013 Psychological Health of Women
of Color: Intersections, Challenges, and Opportunities: Praeger Press
2. Gabe,
Jonathan and Warner, Joanne
2004
Risk and Liminality in Mental Heal Social Work Health, Risk& Society 6(4) 387-399
3. Jospeh,
Gloria I. and Lewis, Jill
1999
Common Differences: Conflicts in Black and White Feminist Perspectives: South End
Press
4. Mendible,
Myra
2009
From Bananas to Buttocks: The Latina Body in Popular Film and Culture: University of Texas Press
5. Rubenstein,
Jeffrey
1992
Purim, Liminality, and Communitas. AJS
Review,17(2):247-277
6. Turner,
Victor
1969 Liminality and Communitas. The Ritual Process: Structure and
Anti-Structure 94-113, 125:30
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