Multiracial Women: Identity, Resistance, and the Body

This master’s thesis examines the racial identity development and the role of the multiracial physical body in the lives of 10 self identified multiracial women. Through the collection and grounded theory analysis of qualitative interview data, findings demonstrate that the physical body is a potential site for developing resistance against a monoracially-oriented society. Through relationship with the self and the influence of outsiders, respondents developed a multiracial identity and awareness regarding the dominant monoracial order in the United States. Interactions with outsiders led respondents to witness racism, feel shame and embarrassment, and find community. Within the role of self and others, the body played a significant role in aiding the participants in forming awareness and a potential resistance to a monoracial world. Utilizing a Feminist Critical Mixed Race lens, this research connects feminist research on the racialized physical body to research on critical multiraciality. Therefore, this master’s thesis makes a valuable contribution to literature on the body, multiraciality, and potential avenues to resistance against the dominant monoracial framework in the United States