Community Based participatory research is described as a partnership between the researchers and members of the community being researched, and its aimed at creating positive community change. One technique that has been used successfully in this type of research is called Photovoice. Photovoice is when community members take photographs to document their experiences and by sharing their photographs and explaining why they chose particular images these individuals are able to communicate important aspects of their experience. Our textbook informed us that Photovoice is particularly well suited to document the experiences of ethnic minority groups since it allows community members from these groups to overcome language and cultural barriers in communicating.
A big topic of conversation currently is the “caravan of immigrants” that are making their way across Mexico towards the United States. So much of what we hear on the news is opinion based, or just very vague and uninformed. It is very hard to actually know who these people are, why they are traveling, what their background story is, and to try to understand the hopes and dreams that are driving them north. I think it would be an amazing thing if someone could supply these people with cameras and give them a voice. To see who they are, what they are experiencing, how they feel. I think it would be wonderful for those in the United States who are living in fear to be able get a better understanding of these people. Im actually surprised Photovoice is not used more often as a means of breaking down barriers between communities, or at least as a catalyst for future dialogue that can stimulate community change.
As a side thought writing this blog made me wonder if a collaboration between the concept of Photovoice and a mainstream app like snapchat is actually feasible as it would be a very interesting way of educating people on diversity.
Schneider, F.W., Gruman, J.A., Coutts, L.M. (2012). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Tags: Community