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Transcript of Photo Elicitation Project
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Running head: PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 1
Photo Elicitation Project (Part 2)
Crystal Norwood
Loyola University Chicago
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 2
Overview
As I reflect on my first photo elicitation project I found myself changing many of my photos to
encompass a broader understanding of oppression, social justice, and privilege. The photos that I
included changed drastically which is partially due to my engagement and the learning
experience inside and outside the classroom. I am now able to develop a deeper understanding
around these issues and find pictures that connect to the issues and not just the surface for these
issues. When I began to examine my first set of photos, I noticed that I could have delvedmuch
deeper and incorporated self in the photos which did not come to my mind when I did this photo
project the first time. As I began to read articles and have discussion in class I can now see how
my own identities can be incorporated into this project. I found myself adding my own
experience and identities into part two of the photo elicitation project.
In my original project I did not incorporate any of my identities and I used them in my
final project because they are more salient to me now. I am constantly thinking about my
identity in different setting and environments. I decided to include pictures that were personal
and ones that I had a deep connection with, which this final has become a reflection of how I
come to understand social oppression, privilege and social justice. My lived experience
contributes to what photographs I decided to take then it did for part one of the assignments.
Through this class I gained an in depth understanding of the three concepts and I felt triggered at
points because it seems as though I was reliving or revisiting these moments as I was writing the
descriptions. The main edits that I made in part two of this project related to my everyday life
experience, and my intersecting identities.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 3
Oppression
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 4
This is a new picture for the final photo elicitation project. This picture with my scarf on
my head speaks to the notion of oppression. Being that I identify as a Black women, there are
many stereotypes attached to my identity. I am often asked many questions about my hair and if
others can touch it. I tie my hair down because of the texture of my hair is different from other
races. If I have a scarf on my head I would not go outside or even let people see because of their
judgment. Where I grew up it was normal to go outside and wear your scarf on your head but I
never did because the stereotypes that people associate it with such as Ghetto, dirty, and
insecure. As Roy stated in the dialogue of Racism that in his undergraduate institution a
fraternity wanted to have a ghetto style party and it became an uproar because it was about
racism. The party was related to black women mostly and how they would dress with scarves
scarfs and what Black women do, which was made into a mocking party. I believe that having
such party and the racist thought of others is hurtful, disheartening and insulting. I do not think it
is okay to degrade black women and that is what the students were doing. In Race and Racism
by Yamato she demonstrates that my experience is connected to the category
unaware/unintentional racism because it comes from not really knowing that your behavior is
racist until you get called out on it.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 5
This picture is a new picture for religious oppression. The Ten Thousand Ripples project
is a partnership between Chicago-based artist Indira Johnson, Changing Worlds, LUMA, and
other cultural and educational organizations across the city and suburbs. The purpose of this
project is to inspire discussion about peace, violence, and other contemporary issues in the
Chicagoland area. Being that Loyola University Chicago is a Jesuit Catholic institution, it is a
privilege for Christians and Catholics to be able to walk around campus and express their
religion comfortably. One of the Buddhas statues is placed in front of the Centennial Forum
Student Union and as I was walking one evening I noticed added pieces to it. As I went to go
look at it and I noticed a post-it on the Buddha head that said We are not Buddhist We are
Catholic. I crumbled the post-it immediately because it was hurtful. This demonstrates to
oppression. Through class discussion and readings I think the person that wrote the post-it had
some strong feelings about this statue being placed on campus. For me this image embodies
oppression and shows how hateful this can be for someone that is of the Buddhist faith.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 6
This card is a new photo that I decided to add. This is a Benefit card that means a lot to me as
far as access and oppression. This is a card that the government issues families that are in need
of food, which the government puts money on the card once a month according to families
income. This card is equivalent to the old paper food stamps. This is oppressive because it is
forcing individuals that are less fortunate to find other means, which I appreciate that the
government support but individuals like to make this option hurtful for those who have to result
to this. When I go to stores to buy groceries and I am at the register to pay I try to hide the card
because I do not want others to see me using this card because I already know what they are
thinking because in past experiences I had some bad experience when people did see me or my
family using it. Many associate this card with Black people; stereotypes that are related to this
are poor, less educated, and living in the projects.
During the classism dialogue and the activity Dr. Bridget Kelly facilitated on classism
education really shined light on how someones economic status can be oppressive to families. I
remember specially my group struggling to spend the money that was allotted to us because of
the fear of running out.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 7
Social Justice
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 8
This photo of the Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (SDMA) was a photo that
I used in my first photo project but I decided to move the photo from oppresion to Social Justice.
When I first looked at the office I was looking through a different lens. I see the SDMA office as
a support system for the LGBTQI community so I placeed it under social justice. I also see this
office as a space on campus where student of various backrounds can gather and build
community. Throughout this semester I seen this office promoted social justice and diversity
through various angles such as programs, training and retreats. Social Justice is a both a process
and a goals. According to Adams, Bell and Griffin (1997) define social justice as both a process
and a goal. "The goal of social justice education is full and equal participation of all groups in a
society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs. Social justice includes a vision of society that
is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure. This office
also provided outlets for students to feel comfortable, as well as work with student in their
coming out process and how others can be allies for them. They cover what identity means and
what it means to be an ally for various communities. This center revolves around shinig the light
on peoples diversebackgrounds and celebrating issues and things in a open environement.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 9
This is currently a new photo that I took to represent social justice. This is a picture of my close
friends who are strong advocates for social justice. This picture exemplifies two happy men,
who are dating and consider themselves free being that they openly gay with family and friends.
According to Berube (2003) in the How gay stays White and what kind of white it stays article
states the way that I am gay will always be shaped by the way that I am white (2003, p.277).
They both are explained how their identity of being black and white has also intersected with
their identity of being gay. They both explained that it is hard to separate their identities when
both are salient. One of the men stated that when they came out to their parents, his mother said
I already knew Jesus told me, I was just waiting on you, and I will always love you and support
you (A. Greenwald, Personal Communication, November 11th). I hope as a society we can
move past this oppression and be inclusive of all identities.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 10
I feel that this picture represents social justice on many metaphoric levels. Loyola
University Chicago has repeatedly stated that it advocates for social justice in the Chicagoland
area, nationally, and globally. The wall that Loyolas name and crest is mounted on is dirty,
which I feel represents the reality of its social justice mission. The reason being is that it even
though Loyolas mission is social justice, at times its not going to be perfect. In reality, many of
the events that Loyola advocates for may simply put a band-aid on the issues rather than actually
changing the systems in place. In addition, Loyolas presence has caused gentrification of the
Rogers Park community, for the positive or negative. I believe that the construction in the
background furthers this point. The construction could be used as a metaphor for the work that
Loyola cannot stop doing if it wishes to continue fighting for Social Justice. The work is long
and tiring but you must continue at it because the result will be to the benefit of all.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 11
Privilege
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 12
My passport is a photo that I added that was not in my first photo elicitation project. I decided to
change the picture of Loyola sign, which I understand that education is a privilege and I believe
that it is something that I often think about because how I got where I am today. I decided to
change because I wanted delve deeper and think of something that I often do not think about
which is my passport. This photo has to say a lot such as access and affordability. I took it for
granted and is something I dont think about because I do not travel often. I would also venture
to say its a privilege because it is not something you have to do but something most people do
for leisure like myself. Not everyone can travel or use a passport for identity for various reasons
and I have the opportunity to travel outside the states and explore other places without being
questioned because a passport holds a lot of power.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 13
This is also a new picture I taken during the Chicago Thanksgiving holiday parade.
Through speaking with people that were attending, I was trying to get an idea of what kind of
parade this was and how it compared to the Macys parade in New York. This year Chicago
decided to go with the theme of Disney. As I was watching the parade it was festive and
beautiful, but I do not think it was inclusive of all holidays during this season. Not once did they
have a menorah or a dreidel just to name a few traditional items used through different holidays,
but I did see a Christmas tree and Santa Claus. I instantly noticed that and one of my colleagues
decided not to go because of these reasons and she is not a Christian. In Confronting the
Complexities of Christian Privilege Through Interfaith Dialogue by Larson and Shady expressed
how Christians have many options and not just on the basis of doctrine but in regards to musical
style, times of services, and even day to day living. This parade is a prime example of the
options that Christians have (Larson & Shady, 2012, p.2).
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 14
This is a new picture that I added to privilege, which is my health care card. Today in
society one of the biggest issues that we bring up is that of healthcare and who has access to it.
To a certain extent everyone can go see a doctor, but others can not afford to pay for that visit,
pay for the prescriptions drugs or even pay for accessibility to a hospital or a medical facility.
For example, in order to receive healthcare I depend on my foster care agency to provide for me;
before I relocated to the agency I did not have healthcare because my parents could not afford.
In reality healthcare is costly and it is a privilege to be able to obtain it, I do not take it for
granted because at point I did not have it. I can now go to the doctor or dentist without thinking
anything of it. I now have the option of not having relied on obtaining medicine from a friend, I
can go to a doctor. Access to healthcare and medicine is a privilege in every sense because there
are tons of people all over the country that cannot afford and cannot enjoy the same benefits
because the means to afford it.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 15
Analysis
Oppression
Thinking about oppression now, I believe that I have been challenged from many angles.
In taking pictures I wanted to address oppression pertaining to my identities. To me,
oppression is the act of using power to empower and/or privilege group at the expense of
disempowering, marginalizing, silencing, and subordinating another. Oppression is deeply
overwhelming in our society and we can tend to overlook it or not recognize and name the
reality. Through the readings, especially Teaching and Reading for Diversity and Social Justice,
it has brought to my attention that oppression can take on many forms, which some are more
subtle than others. Over the semester, I really paid attention to the identities I hold and how they
intersect. I also focused more each day when I am emerged in different experiences which
identities are more salient at the moment. Exploring identities being a woman has not been in
my forefront as much but I came to the understanding that it can be an oppressed identity and
how it is.
The picture with that connects to religion really had an impact on me. Even though I am
not of that particular faith and I was really hurt by the post -it that was posted on the Buddha
head. I just believe that oppression is all around us and is something that we must acknowledge
to create change. I also believe that someone has to be the change and start putting an end to
oppression. I am unsure of how many people actually saw the post it but I made an effort to take
it off and throw it away. What concerns me with this image is that the purpose for the Buddha is
for peace, which I am unsure if some people understand.
Over the semester, I have explored my identity as woman and, specifically, as a Black
woman, which is the reason why I chose the picture with me wearing the scarf on my head.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 16
During the Racism dialogue, which is the one I facilitated, I was triggered by the topic and the
comments that were stated. I believe this topic puts me in such a place because not only because
oppression and discrimination is embedded in our society but many people are unaware of then
perpetuating it. In the dialogue Rachel explained that there was a point in her life that she did
not know she was being racist because that is what she was taught by her parents, which many
others also agreed with her. In the readings by Adams, Bell, and Griffin (2007), it is stated that
Oppression is so deeply rooted in our lives that it can be easily overlooked. It is an infusion of
systematic discrimination, personal bias, and social prejudice that encapsulate almost every part
of our lives. I believe this is true and I have experience and witnessed where such racism and
oppression has been overlooked.
Social Justice
Through class discussion and class readings as well as being immersed in Social Justice
at Loyola it helped me to define and make meaning of this concept. Social justice to me is
standing against the grain when most are opposed. I believe it is about being brave enough to
stand up and become a part of a cause so you can make a difference in the world. I believe that
everyone should become involved in social justice because there are so many injustices in the
world let alone in our society, which is something that was brought to light in many dialogues,
readings, and presenters throughout this semester. It is also about the act of courage and bravery
to bring an issue that they, as well as others, to bring awareness and change.
When I did this project the first time I used photos such as Loyola ramp near the Student
Union, Mundelein as ministry tries to make Loyola a home for all faiths, and the gender neutral
bathroom which I believe all are great photos but there is more to be said about social justice and
I think I had the ability to dig deeper after given the opportunity to engage in dialogue and in
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 17
conversation with peers. I think the second time around I was able to embrace the idea of social
justice and the many components of it. After revisiting this project, I decided to use three
photographs that pertained to identity and self-expression. I changed them drastically because I
believed these were the areas I was lacking understanding and I wanted to challenge my gained
knowledge.
In Kamaro Abubakar and Andrew Millers dialogue on Social Justice and Diversity we
spoke about the fear that comes up and the discomfort when talking about these topics under this
umbrella term, which I shared that it is important that we lean into discomfort and it is okay to
feel not at ease or triggered. Sometimes there needs to be one person to stand up for a ripple to
take place. Its important to name these injustices and start to make change. I believe that
humans should be able to live life in peace, free to believe what they want, dress they way they
want and so forth, as long as it is not at another person expense.
I changed my social justice photos through the project because with my first photo
elicitation project I believe that I was touching in surface level social justice and I believe these
new photos really helped me to dig deeper and represent my understanding of being an ally,
being inclusive, as well as different aspects of social justice. Social justice involves identifying
the oppress and then taking collective action to affect change (Higbee & Barajas, 2007, p.17). I
think this quote emphasizes my belief in social justice and what it means to me and how I have
interpreted it through this semester.
Privilege
Privilege is a special advantage of a particular group of people. McIntosh (1989) article
White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack really helped me to identify my privilege as
well as other peoples privilege. My first project had photographs of the basic concepts that relate
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 18
to privilege. I often do not realize the privileges that I have and focus on what others have. This
course increased my understanding that I do hold privileges and what those mean ,and how will
that impact the my work in Student Affairs. I used the photographs of my passport because a
passport holds so much power and privilege, which I never explored as much. A passport to be
serves as multiple purposes and allows for many opportunities that many people will never have.
During class we spoke about how Christian privilege is an overarching privilege of
advantages bestowed on Christian. Being a Christian myself I have never looked at my religion
as a privilege and I believe that is due to my privilege. The Thanksgiving parade in downtown
Chicago this year theme was Disney and showcased many vendors and businesses. Throughout
this parade I have seen much Christian privilege such as Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and
ornaments, but in the parade I have not seen anything pertaining to other holidays during this
season. It is really sad that we disregard other holiday and forget or do not recognize holidays
even in a big holiday parade, where a lot of people gather and watch every year.
In my picture pertaining to healthcare I believe that Allan Johnson (2006) alludes to this
picture because privilege exist when one group has something of value that is denies to others
simply. This also connects that privilege is not always something that is earned, or given to
someone it comes in different forms. What I have learned is that recognizing your privilege
whether it was given to you or your earned it is the same as engaging in social justice practices.
I also understand now that privilege is deeply rooted in society and groups as much as it is in
individual peoples personality. It is important that we know our privilege because they have an
impact on us and on others and it makes us who we are. Allan Johnson stated Denying that
privilege exists is a serious barrier to change. (Johnson, 2006, p.21) As an inspiring Student
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 19
Affairs Practitioner I am hoping to explore how I can use my privilege and power to advocate for
others as well as be an agent for change.
Conclusion
This photo project has given me the opportunity to reflect on many concepts of social
justice, oppression and privilege. Through this semester I have learned about many identities
and how they intersect with other identities. I also learned a lot about myself and how I can
advocate for social justices but keeping in mind my own identity. I recognized that if I want to
be an agent for change I must recognize the dichotomy of privilege and oppression that exist in
society, because it is deeply embedded in the society we live in today. I learned that I must focus
on my own privilege to effectively promote social justice. Issues of social justice, oppression
and privilege are a part of our society and in Student Affairs and Higher Education work. It is
important to be aware of these issues that exist and move to creating a more socially just
environment for ourselves, our students and our communities
Through engaging in dialogue and analyzing the class readings I was able to define these
three key areas of oppression, social justice, and privilege. I was able to incorporate these three
key concepts in my role as a future Student Affairs practitioner. Through this course I now
understand how can I ensure that all students are being treated equal and how can we educate
students so that they understand their role in creating a more just society. This project helped me
to recognize diversity and the complexity of social justice issues. This course allowed me to I
expand my understanding of the concepts and develop skills though the dialogue to assist
students and myself. Overall I was able to continue to develop and challenge myself to
thoughtfully consider others experiences as well as consider social justice and these issues that
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 20
they face in their lives. Formulating and understanding my own personal experience to create
change was definitely included through this semester and through this assignment.
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PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT 21
References
Adams, M. J., Bell L. A., & Griffin P. (2007). Teaching for diversity and social justice
(2nd
ed.). New York: Routledge.
Berube, A. (2003). How gay stays White and what kind of white it stays. In M. S. Kimmel, & A.
L. Ferber (Eds.). Privilege: A reader (pp. 253-283). Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
Higbee, J.L. & Barajas, H.L. (2007). Building effective places for multicultural learning. About
Campus, 12(3) 16-22.
Johnson, A. G. (2006). Privilege, power, and difference (2nd
ed.). Boston: McGraw
Larson, M.H. & Shady, S. (2012). Confronting the complexities of Christian privilege
through interfaith dialogue. Journal of College & Character, 13(2), 1-8.
McIntosh, P. M. (1989, July-August). White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack. Peace
and Freedom, 10-12.
Yamato, G. (2004). Something about the subject makes it hard to name. In M. L. Anderson, & P.
H. Collins (Eds.), Race, class, and gender: An anthology (5th
ed.; pp. 99-108). Belmont,
CA: Thomson Wadsworth.