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Erecting closets and outing ourselves: uncomfortable reflexivity and community‐based research
Author(s) -
Reed Sarah J.,
Miller Robin Lin,
Nnawulezi Nkiru,
Valenti Maria T.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.20491
Subject(s) - reflexivity , socialization , sociology , feeling , community psychology , gender studies , community engagement , community building , intervention (counseling) , social psychology , psychology , public relations , social science , political science , psychiatry
Feminist scholars and community psychologists have argued that reflexivity is a necessary component to conducting socially conscious research. Reflexivity, however, is rarely evident in community psychology. In this article, we share the uncomfortable realities that surfaced during a community‐based research project in which we adapted and implemented an HIV prevention intervention for young Black sexual minority women. We each describe how aspects of our identities, values, and socialization affected our engagement in the research and our interactions with and feelings towards participants. In doing so, we hope to call attention to the messiness of community‐based work, as well as to promote a community of scholars who are open to self‐appraisal and willing to share their least comfortable examples of conducting community‐based work in diverse communities. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.