Postcolonial Dress Narratives Through Cultural Becoming

• In Event: Current Issues in Postcolonial Studies in Education

Abstract

I focus my attention on dress narratives to explore an authentic sense of self as a postcolonial educator. Each educator should accept responsibility for their dress narrative and understand how their narrative influences teaching. I am an American born Kuchipudi Hindu dancer and educator with Indian ancestry regardless of what I wear. Dress choices become appropriate or inappropriate, religious or anti-religious depending upon the social constructions of culture. How can I maintain my authentic self as a faith-based Hindu dancer and educator regardless of my wardrobe? Through a self-study that maintains a postcolonial theoretical framework, I propose a postcolonial theory of Cultural Becoming to develop a more authentic sense of self.

Author

• Sabrina D. MisirHiralall, Montclair State University