Explorations in Ethnic Studies
Orginal Publication Date
1994
Journal Title
Explorations in Ethnic Studies
Volume
17
Issue
ees/vol17/iss1
First Page
[1]
Last Page
9
Abstract
From the margins, we find ourselves well positioned to tell "other stories" -- life histories, traditions, and cultural myths which typically go unheard in dominant society.[2] As illustrated in the lead article, "A Pattern of Possibility: Maxine Hong Kingston's Woman Warrior, "by Thelma J. Shinn, such stories are "meronymic" -- mero from the Greek meaning "part" -- because our unique social location allows us to see beyond the dominant mythos and tell "other" parts of "the story." Telling these stories is not only empowering to those whom we name, but it also changes and transforms the official storyline itself. Life stories of marginalized peoples demonstrate time and again that there is no one story, no one way of seeing, thinking, or feeling. Moreover, the core of these stories and identities reveal multiple parts of a more inclusive story, a more inclusive way of thinking. Further, meronymic stories unveil the complex operations of power and domination which have denied and suppressed other voices. This special issue of Explorations in Ethnic Studies on race, class, and gender is devoted to telling the other parts of "the story."
Rights
Copyright, ©EES, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1994