Can We Tawk Talk?: Fashioning/re-fashioning and Mapping Myself as a Border Crosser

Abstract

Drawing upon anthropology, sociology, linguistics, cartography, and feminist theory, I use a layered account to map my experiences as a working class, first generation college graduate and professsor within higher education to better understand my struggles as a border crosser.”1 Through word + image, I explore the intersection of gender, class and education and the construction of my overlapping and conflicting identities that have been subject to fashioning/re-fashioning throughout my life. I discuss the requirements, challenges and costs of border crossing. Suggestions for addressing class as an academic, feminist, and social justice issue are further explored.