Re-framing the Past: Framing as a Stance in the Writing of History

Interruption and Disruption and the Possibility of Change

“…that framing as a verb points to process and, in this case, the process of teaching and learning. But the use of frame as a noun gives the many elements of teaching and learning their shape and strength (Kantawala, 2020). Reframing, Goff man articulates, opens the possibility to change the frame, presenting the opportunity for creative problem solving by considering alternative means of making meaning.…”

“…We are never free from context, yet the concept of framing presents the opportunity to identify and question the limitations and possibilities of framing, which then provides an expanded basis for interpreting the changing situations and circumstances we face as teachers. By putting frames to work in refl ecting on our practices, we may see our teaching diff erently, whereby reframing might challenge us to consider other perspectives and pluralities, and unframing might imply systemic change (Kantawala, 2020).…”

Using Positionality and Theory in Historical Research: A Personal Journey

“…In contrast to the broader field of history, theoretical positionality has been utilized in art education historical research for some time, particularly in relation to postmodern (Bolin et al, 2000;Garnet, 2017) and feminist theories (Stankiewicz, 1997). More recently, Kantawala (2012) has worked to bring postcolonial theory and the concept critical cultural framing (Kantawala, 2020) into research. Centering BIPOC subjects in historical literature enables new and challenging narratives to occur.…”

“…Within my experience of researching the narrative of Dr. Margaret Burroughs, a Black female art educator from Chicago, I realized how little consideration White historians have put into considering their positionality within and around their research, and how this lack of consideration has continued to replicate White supremacy. As historians and educators attempt to un-frame and re-frame histories in art education (Kantawala, 2020), it is paramount that historians reconsider the ways that historical research is undertaken. By locating my own positionality within my research, I saw ways that I could be in conversation with my subject rather than dictating her narrative, and how historians can include rather than ignore how positionality influences their research.…”