| This study examines the significance of informal group friendships for Black women. Female relationships, and particularly friendships, are of unique significance for many Black women because they represent a safe space. Friendships function as a site of empowerment and resistance from oppression in a variety of settings. The researcher uses non-participant observation and one-on-one interviews to listen to the stories the Black women tell in and about their friendship groups. Fisher's (1984, 1987) narrative paradigm guides this study. The researcher finds that the women tell stories that are valuable to them; topics include family, finances, other friends, appearance, men and sex, connectedness, and race. The women place their friendship in a unique space and view each other as sisters who share experiences together. They also sustain their friendship by spending time with each other and incorporating honesty, care, humor, and loyalty into their friendships. Finally, within their group friendship, the Black women construct, reconstruct, accept, and reject their individual and group identities through the telling of narratives. The stories the women tell allow them to freely express their culturally-based truths without fear of marginalization. This study discusses the significance of these stories and concludes with recommendations for future research. |
