A Collaborative Autoethnographic Search for Authenticity Amidst the "Fake Real"

Authors

Trenia L. Walker, Texas Tech UniversityFollow
Colette M. Taylor, Texas Tech UniversityFollow

Abstract

This manuscript explores the importance of "authenticity" for the maintenance self-identity for social justice educators in higher education. A collaborative dialogue between two female faculty authors of different ethnicities explores and interprets how to balance one’s own situated understanding of themselves, shared discourse community, and a social justice paradigm. The authors systematically juxtapose their reflections on their experiences as educators in higher education to examine points of similarity and difference. By sharing and interrogating their individual experiences in higher education, the authors argue that the relationship between authenticity, identity, and social justice is complex and multifaceted. The authors conclude by conceptualizing authenticity as a work strategy which plays a vital part in one’s search of her/his individual identity.

Keywords

Authenticity, Identity, Social Education, Collaborative Autoethnography

Publication Date

6-23-2014

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1214

Recommended APA Citation

Walker, T. L., & Taylor, C. M. (2014). A Collaborative Autoethnographic Search for Authenticity Amidst the "Fake Real". The Qualitative Report, 19(25), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1214