Women and feminism as subjects of black study: The difficulties and dilemmas of carrying out re‐search

Abstract

This paper examines the difficulties and dilemmas faced by a ‘black’ re‐searcher when she attempts to carry out re‐search on a ‘black’ community. What difference does ‘race’ make to the re‐search process? The paper argues, the difficulties and dilemmas experienced by ‘black’ women re‐searchers may be very different to those experienced by white women re‐searchers. Issues of ‘race’ are apparent and enter into the re‐search itself. The paper questions the ways in which re‐search can be conducted and the specific relationships that exist between the re‐searcher and the re‐searched. ‘Black’ women's visible experience (their skin colour) may affect how the re‐searchers perceive and respond to them. What difference does ‘race’ make to problems of access, the ‘presentation of self,’ and power relations in the re‐search process? The data for the paper is based on re‐search carried out among South Asian women within the household in reference to patriarchy theory and focuses on the intersection of gender and ethnicity. Sixty in‐depth interviews have been carried out with South Asian women living in East London. The paper also questions whether there is a distinct ‘perspective’ that can be identified and called a feminist methodology and explores what the goals of a ‘black’ feminist methodology may involve. How can ‘black’ feminist researchers be included into the study of gender relations, rather than being marginalised or ‘added on?’ The paper argues, ‘black’ women can use their craft to empower ‘black’ women throughout the world, aiming to be sensitive to differences and not deviances.