Griots: Transformations in Young Woman of Color

Presenter Information

Donna McGhee-Weaver, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 255

Start Date

27-4-2009 1:00 PM

End Date

27-4-2009 3:00 PM

Student's Major

Gender and Women's Studies

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Helen Crump

Mentor's Department

Gender and Women's Studies

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Second Mentor's Name

Avra J. Johnson

Second Mentor's Department

Academic Affairs

Description

Traditional means of examining and building self-esteem among young women have often neglected the concept of diversity, historical and artistic contexts - in terms of poetry, music, dance and personal / experiential narratives - and interlocking systems of oppression that have impacted the lives of young women of color. In response to these omissions, my research focused on a pilot program organized around self-esteem building among young women of color and a Paradigmatic Analysis conducted of the functionality and success-fullness of the program. As a program intern, I observed and analyzed the young women's participation, examined and gauged the effectiveness of the various activities, and specifically, investigated the impact of literature, music, and dance produced by women of color on young women of color in the process of developing a sense of self. Employing a multi-method research format, this project was used to access knowledge, attitudes, experiences, and feelings in women of color from marginalized groups. The research confirmed that such a paradigmatic approach to transformation provided a balance in defining individuals' self-esteem and significantly minimized the influence of oppressions like racism, sexism, and classism on the young women of color.