In order to be as subjective as possible when doing anthropological research is is important to 'defamiliarize' yourself from the cultural norms you have grown accustom to. Since it is impossible to wipe our memories clean, like we do a computer, George Marcus and Michael Fischer have identified two techniques that allow a more subjective 'cultural critique': defamiliarization by epistemological critique and defamiliarization by cross-cultural juxtaposition.
Saba Gul Khattak, writes about the Afghan women living in refugee camps in Pakistan in an article titled, "Living on the Edges: Afghan Women and Refugee Camp Management in Pakistan". She is using the defamiliarization by cross-cultural juxtaposition technique, focusing on women's role in the refugee camps and how they are given less privileges than the men. She writes, "a high incidence of violence against women was tolerated both within and outside the camps, as were public acts of vigilantism, if women were seen to transgress norms set by the men in the camps." This statement shows that she is comparing her norms (etic view) on violence against women and gender roles, to the norms of the women she is studying. The author calls for more freedom for the women living in refugee camps so that they are not abused or need to turn to working as sex trade workers to support themselves. Women were not allowed to leave the camps which greatly inhibiting their ability to support themselves. The author also argues that their should be more health care and counselling for the women who are traumatized.
Quynh-Giao N. Vu writes from a completely different perspective, being a refugee herself. She experienced living as a refugee and adapted that as her norm therefore she used defamiliarization by epistemological critique when she later moves to the US and can compare the two experiences. The author is calling for more attention to refugees.
These two articles were very different. Quynh-Giao N. Vu writes from personal experience, where as Saba Gul Khattak writes as an outsider.
You can read these articles in the spring 2007 issue here.
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Isn't it a defamiliarization by cross-cultural juxtaposition where comparisons of two cultures are used?
ReplyDeleteYes. Saba is writing as an outsider and compares the refugees to her own cultural norms.
ReplyDeleteSaba has to write with the emic view inorder to compare two culture.
ReplyDeleteI understand we have to defamiliarize our self from other cultures around the world, but when do you ever put your foot down? I don't like to judge other cultures and I try to keep open minded but when it involves people being hurt physically and sexually I have to stick to what I was taught, which is that is wrong.
ReplyDeleteWhile the two articles you read were from different perspectives were there any similarities? Did the two women, of very different backgrounds, face any similar challenges?
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