Well, as some of you may know, I have recently been flip-flopping on my ethnography topic.
I am very interested in roller derby and I wouldn't mind becoming a "local expert" on it, as Booth says. However, I think that I was feeling that my topic lacked substantial meaning or direction - how would my findings and research benefit the greater community?
Therefore, I was thinking of possibly switching to studying the environmental organization SEAK here on campus, specifically focusing on how self-proclaimed environmentalists relate themselves to this movement and what it means to them. Ever since taking Global Environmental Justice last semester I have been very intrigued by the history and roots of American environmentalism and how it has changed and evolved over the years. I have found it very compelling to investigate how people, including myself, see their responsibility towards the Earth and how this influences their actions. I would want to study this topic in order to learn more about how to be an effective and constructive activist for this cause.
However, after talking with some friends, I'm also intrigued to narrow down my roller derby topic to researching how roller derby is portrayed or perceived in the mainstream versus what it means to women who play the sport. My end goal would be to bring awareness to the sport and to generate discussion about how roller derby contributes (or doesn't) to the feminist movement. Because I think it's interesting how "feminism" has become somewhat of loaded word in some circles of contemporary American society - I often hear women say things like, "Well, I'm not a feminist but..." I have found some interesting (but not very scholarly) blog entries about roller derby and feminism, such as the one I've included below:
http://meanfeminism.blogspot.com/2006/11/rant-against-roller-derby.html
(I'm sorry that these entries have not been too profound or enthralling - I'm going to try to work on that...)
asdf Maybe I'll just do two ethnographies. I know that I need to just decide and go with something - I'm looking forward to figuring this out tomorrow!
Savage Minds is dead! Long live anthro{dendum}!
7 years ago
I like the idea of researching feminism in the area of roller derby. I think that your assessment of feminism being a loaded word is fair. I am researching the stereotypes and individual definitions of feminism in the general community. I would love to hear a more the views of a more focused community.
ReplyDeleteMegs
I had never really herd about women in roller derby until reading your blogs. I find it interesting.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you were looking to focus on individual definitions of feminism to each woman or to a group definition of feminism (if that even makes sense). Or maybe even a perceived definition of feminism from mainstream society.
Well, as much as I would love to end up reading about SEAK, I think the derby topic would have the most splash and possibly even impact. Derby's unique connection to Austin (which you informed me of) and your unique connection to both Derby and Austin would work well together to give an insider's view to an increasingly popular (or recognized) sport.
ReplyDeleteFeminism seems to pop up naturally when derby is the topic of conversation. Would you rather focus on another element? Identity/persona construction (through names, clothing, language used, etc)? Sexuality? Language?
Bon chance (spelling unknown)!