Storying food to negotiate culture and power in the lives of refugee women of color

• In Event: The Southeast Asian Diaspora

Abstract

This critical phenomenology study explores the significance of food narratives in our personal, familial, and community lives. We reflect on our experiences as two women of color, HMong and Somali, navigating the intersection of womanhood and research within educational and community spaces. By examining stories from our refugee/immigrant backgrounds, we emphasize the relational aspect of food. Our investigation focuses on how food underscores relationality in three key ways: the cultural and aesthetic dimensions of food, the politicization of food in education spaces and beyond, and the power of food in the context of conflict and war. Through our personal and communal food narratives, we illustrate how food symbolizes our identities, cultures, and histories. We aim to shift the discourse to include diverse perspectives, as food represents more than just sustenance; rather, food intertwines with emotions, security, and dignity.

Authors

• Kalia Vue, The Ohio State University

• Nimo Abdi, Ohio State University