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No Matter How Hard You Try, Your Feet Still Get Wet: Insider and Outsider Perspectives on Bridging Diversity.

Authors :
Brodsky, Anne E.
Faryal, Tahmeena
Source :
American Journal of Community Psychology; Jun2006, Vol. 37 Issue 3/4, p311-201, 10p
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

Research in which the researcher and the participants come from different contexts and communities always presents challenges. This paper is based on qualitative, community-based research carried out by a U.S. researcher in Pakistan and Afghanistan with an underground Afghan women's humanitarian and political organization. Written from the perspectives of two authors, one an organization insider and the other the outside researcher, it presents some unique examples of diversity challenges, while also illuminating issues that exist in subtle ways even in more common research experiences. Within the context of multiple diversities, two challenges to bridging diversity are discussed: (1) Can or should all diversities be bridged? and (2) Can narrow attention to diversity lead to ignoring similarities? We argue that the definitions of success and failure in bridging diversity are themselves relative terms, grounded in this very diversity. Further, even when research fails to bridge diversity it may, in fact, not only honor and respect that diversity, but ultimately lead to a better understanding of it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00910562
Volume :
37
Issue :
3/4
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
American Journal of Community Psychology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
21638860
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-006-9015-x