We to Me: An Autoethnographic Discovery of Self, In and Out of Domestic Abuse

ABSTRACT

“We to Me” is a personal and evocative encounter, reflection, and experience of self through the retelling and analysis of my own experiences in a six-year abusive relationship. This autoethnography uses previous research on domestic abuse, feminist storytelling, and Foucault’s theorization of technologies of the self to produce an insider understanding of what it is to be a victim of domestic violence. As a piece of feminist narrative resistance, it is my place of inquiry and healing. It is my hope that the experiences I share bring awareness and understanding to the lived realities of an abusive relationship and provide an embodied account that illuminates the options available for victims to share their story.

KEYWORDS:

• Autoethnography
• domestic abuse
• feminism
• narrative
• survivor

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Dr. Nicholas Taylor for his time, care, and support. I feel honored to have the mentorship of such a truly wonderful person. His intellectual guidance and openness to all of my thoughts and ideas has allowed me to craft something I feel immense pride toward. I also thank my other committee members, Dr. Elizabeth Craig and Dr. Sarah Stein. Thank you for your input, your time, and your care toward this project and toward me. I am beyond grateful to have the support of people I truly admire.