Oppression Through the Eyes of

Haitian American and African

American Male College Students

Danielle Jackman, Pamela Hall, PhD, & Gladys Ibanez, PhD

TQR Conference January 8, 2011

Table of ContentsTable of Contents Oppression

Types of oppression Effects of oppression

Theories: Critical Consciousness Social Intervention Theory

Photovoice

Research objective

Methods

Results/Discussion

Future Direction

OppressionOppression

Unjust use of power

Domination Sustains inequity

Process and outcome

References: Watts, Williams, & Jagers, (2003); Schiele, (2007)

Types of oppressionTypes of oppression Classism

Ageism

Sexism

Racial Discrimination

Ethnic Discrimination

Effects of OppressionEffects of Oppression Ethnic identity

Self perception Learned Helplessness

Health

Critical ConsciousnessCritical ConsciousnessFriere (1970); Wang (1999)

Social Intervention Social Intervention TheoryTheory

Social Intervention Theory

Empowerment

Social change

Just society

References: Watts, Williams, &Jagers (2003)

PhotovoicePhotovoiceParticipatory action research

Engage in active listening

Create safe environment

Move people toward action

Inform policy makers

References: Friere (1970); Wang, & Burris (1994)

Research ObjectivesResearch Objectives

Research Questions1. How do you view oppression in your

community?

2. In what ways can you reduce oppression within your community?

3. In what ways can your community leaders and community reduce oppression?

MethodMethod Participants (n=20)

Discussion about oppression

Camera handed with first research question

Compensation given

Audio-taped meeting held

The process was repeated two more times

Responses from the participants were placed into categories.

ResultsFigure 1. Results showing categories formed from responses to Question 1: “How do you view oppression in your community?”

Pictures- Question 1

“The bright leaves represent the beauty of Miami and the trash underneath represents how Blacks are treated. You do not see it until you look hard that Blacks are treated poorly in Miami.”- African American

“Haitian Americans are treated like trash in Miami; other ethnicities are not. They may be close to the trash but we Haitian Americans are treated like filth.”- Haitian American

Results (cont.)Figure 2. Results showing categories formed from responses to Question 2: “In what ways can you reduce oppression in your community?”

“All the flags in this picture represent the multiculturalism in Miami. No flag is higher than the rest. Lack of tolerance and ignorance of other cultures lead to oppression. Therefore, if I get an education of other people’s cultures, I can teach others that we are all equal. That will hopefully reduce oppression and celebrate diversity.”- Haitian American

Pictures- Question 2

“ We have to be agents for change in order to change our community. It is easy to talk about it but you have to be about it. Voting is one way for me to be about change and hopefully I can encourage others in my community to vote as most do not. If we vote, our voices will be heard.”- African American

Results (cont.)Figure 3. Results showing categories formed from responses to Question 3: “In what way can your community leaders and community reduce oppression?”

Pictures- Question 3

“Local church leaders in Miami like Bishop Curry of New Birth could help out the community even more by holding programs at his church to talk about discrimination and oppression.”- African American

“We need to be like fish and band together as one community to discuss our concerns and issues of how we are treated. The leaders can take notes and at the end then they will better be able to serve all the members of the community.”-Haitian American

DiscussionDiscussion Differences between the groups may be

linked to history

Method useful in empowering (90% of participants)

Participatory research style may reduce oppression and increase community action

Limitations Pilot study

Preliminary Data

CAMERA PROBLEMS!!!

Future Direction Repeat using larger sample size

Use digital cameras

Invite policy makers and participants to presentation and display

Acknowledgments Minority Access to Research Careers Grant,

T34 GM008021-25, Barry University 

Dr. Flona Redway

TQR Conference

QUESTIONS??