Messy Archives and Materials that Matter: Making Knowledge with the Gloria E. Anzaldúa Papers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this essay, I show how recognizing the multiple material actants at work in an archive transforms research, in general, and Anzaldúan studies, in particular. For unraveling this new way of thinking about archival work, I borrow a genre Anzaldúa developed throughout her career: “ autohistoria- teoría . . . a personal essay that theorizes” (“now” 578n). I begin with my own experiences with the particular materials of particular archives and then move outward to develop a theory of knowledge production that is built on the accidents, messes, and intrusions that disrupted my conventional research plan. Perhaps this is what literary scholars have to offer archival studies: a good story.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalEnglish: Faculty Publications and Other Works
Volume130
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2015

Keywords

  • Gloria Evangelina Anzaldúa
  • archives
  • digital
  • material

Disciplines

  • English Language and Literature

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