Fuping Drifting Home

Abstract

During one of my seminars, Dr. Ivan Harrell, president of Tacoma Community College noted that “you do not belong to an institution; you belong to someone, to the relationships you create” (personal communication, 2025). His words serve as a perfect overarching theme for my dissertation, which I consider an ode to New Construction women, the women who represent the community I was raised and nurtured within. New Construction women, those to whom I used to belong and whose legacies anchor me in my ever-drifting status, represent what I define as fuping, a Chinese term that means floating duckweed, to serve as the foundation for this dissertation. My recalling and re-searching (Dillard, 2022) the stories and feelings that rendered these women extraordinary is a ceremony and celebration, not only for me to be reminded of the beautiful lives of these women, but also a tribute to my Mama, whose story-telling throughout my writing process has guided me through some of the darkest days of my life.

The search for Homeplace is replete with stories and a deeper connection with Mama, and spiritual enlightening by the New Construction women as well as my ancestors. These stories and inspirations shine brightly like the moon, lighting up the entire dark sky, casting its long warm gaze on me in my long journey ahead.