I personally enjoyed how Ana-Maurine drew audiences in by forcing them to reconsider their understanding of terms that seem so common and accessible to some demographics – words like “gender,” “race,” or “freedom”. What does it mean to have sovereignty in these realms? Who dictates such sovereignty? What is the meaning of the individual in relation to infrastructure that authorizes things like queer freedom and black sovereignty?
Ana-Maurine delves into her research through interviewing many different demographics of people among multiple field sites to truly gain an understanding of these ideas to reframe contemporary conversations about queerness and blackness. This chapter emphasizes the violence that stems from these controversial topics, and it is interesting to see how they impact different types of communities and fields of thought.
Her ethnographies highlight the idea that questions surrounding these ideas are not particularly meant to be answered, but more so explored. Thus, I wonder, how can we as anthropologists reconcile the fact that our research will have no concrete answer, and how can we arrange our methods of inquiry in order to reach these intangible goals and results?
Hi, Gloria. I completely agree that Ana-Maurine challenges her audience by reconsidering the different meanings of certain terms. As I read it, I also found it interesting and eye-opening, and I understood how cultural backgrounds could influence each person’s definiction of those terms.
As for your question, I had the same concern when I did my first mini research last semester. I was telling my professor how I think there is not an “end” to anthropology research: there is only a good stoping point. The reason I said that is that I think the core of anthropology–human–is full of complexity, which makes it hard to come to a definite conclusion like science research. However, if we think about it, not all scientific research results are the “truth.” There existed so many flaws. Therefore, considering that the focus of anthropology is human, I always try to understand as much as possible even thought I recognize that I might not have a concrete answer. And my envisioned way of arranging my research is to build on my past research (if possible) and bringing in as much factors as possible to try to make it thourough and holistic.