Cultivating Feminist Transnational Practice with Immigrant Women: A Collaborative Autoethnography

Abstract

This article applies methods of collaborative autoethnography and participatory education dialogues to explore our evolving “trans” national/disciplinary cultural practice with immigrant women and girls. Drawing from Latinx and Chicanx scholar/activist explorations of healing centered on indigenous and Afrodiasporic worldviews, we reflect on our continuing learning in the aftermath of the massive Immigration and Customs Enforcement workplace raid targeting indigenous immigrant women (New Bedford 2007). We initiated a continued deepening toward cultural practice grounded in transnational women of color social movements. We explore practices enhancing connections between therapy and social justice advocacy, applying transnational feminist and multi-systemic ecological models linking personal and social change. We focus on educational settings as especially favorable in transforming gendered developmental pathways toward bienestar/wellness as fairness. Finally, we recommend critical/participatory methods of reflexivity, autoethnography, dialogue-promoting learning, healing, and empowered social action.