Decolonizing Methodologies- Alexia Bacon

I am relatively new to thinking critically about the world of research.  Although I found the concepts discussed in Linda Tuhiwai Smith Decolonizing Methodologies to be overwhelming at times, that feeling of being overwhelmed led me engage with parts of research I have not yet thought about.  Up until reading Smith’s work I did not understand and/or realize the amount of self-awareness researchers need in order to produce quality work. For me, one of the most interesting sections of the book was when Smith discusses The roles of research in Indigenous Struggles for Social Justice.  In this chapter Smith touched on the conditions that were used as the framework for struggle in decolonization and the discussion of researchers who work in the margins. 

Before the reading I do not think I realized struggle was so multidimensional.  During this section of the book Smith states that struggle in decolonization can be thought of in five ways.  Those five ways are, “(1) critical consciences, (2) reimagining the world and our position as Maori in the word, (3) concerned in which the ways of different ideas, social categories, and tendencies intersect, (4) movement or disturbance, (5) concept or structure. (p.201).”   This breakdown of the struggle in decolonization helps to allow for the conceptualization of both the existing and the created spaces and the intersections that happen there. 

            According to Smith, researchers that are conducting their research in the margins may be able to use their research to offer ideas of hope.  Although I can agree that researchers researching in the margins can be incredibly valuable, it also appears to be some risk.  Smith not only states that they can face the risk of being marginalized in their careers and academic worlds, researchers also face many obstacles, and risk telling inaccurate/problematic narratives if not using appropriate research strategies. 

            At this time I am unsure what my final project for the course will be.  It is for that reason I am unsure as to how this reading will be relevant to my project.  In terms of the work I do with young people I found it extremely beneficial to reflect on concepts such as power, struggle, and the formation of positive social change that were all discussed throughout Decolonizing Methodologies.

Questions:

·      Even though researchers were once members of a community, when they go back to do research/work within that community has their place within that community changed? Can they still be members of that community if there has been a change in their education level, socio-economic status, they live someplace else, or they have gained different types/sources of power?

·      Thinking along the same lines, how important is it for researchers to know and identify their own oppressions and positions of power or how key is self-awareness when performing research?