West Potomac Park - Essay Example

Day Month Year Field Assignment: West Potomac Park TABLE OF CONTENTS ………………………………………………………………………………………2 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………...3 LITERATURE REVIEW ………………………………………………………………………...4 METHODOLOGY ……………………………………………………………………………….5 FINDINGS ……………………………………………………………………………………….6 CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………………………………..7 Abstract The study of people and different cultures is fascinating to Sociologists and Anthropologists alike. To learn more about social interaction and what causes us to feel value and worth in this world is an area that is certainly worthy of study. To be sure, we can learn a great deal by reading first hand accounts of what other social scientists have encountered during their own studies. We can enrich our own lives by studying other cultures, reading personal journals written by members of different societies around the world, and we can even watch videos of people interacting with one another. Nothing can replace, however, the experience resulting from a personal experience with a group of cultures that are being studied. Ethnography, therefore, is perhaps the best way to provide a detailed and in-depth description of the life and culture of any given people group (Frickle 583). Introduction As a student of the social sciences, the process of ethnography proved most valuable. In order to better understand the cultural construct that exists in Northern Virginia/D.C. area, this author embarked on a field assignment to West Potomac Park in Washington D.C. The purpose was to observe and then to write out a qualitative report of what was discovered. This is information that could not be discovered by merely reading the accounts of others. This student needed to get outside, observe the world around him with a social lens, and make observations based on first hand experiences and accounts. What follows is a background of the study, followed by a brief summary of findings discovered during the ethnography. Literature Review West Potomac Park is large natural setting within the urban landscape of the D.C. area. As such, it has a unique role in allowing the residents, and visitors, of the area to escape the ‘hustle and bustle’ of the nation’s capital for an afternoon and experience true nature. Trees abound, especially cherry trees, and there is ample yard space for thousands of people to enjoy lunch under the sun, to participate in various sporting activities, or to simply enjoy some quiet time alone or with a special person (Chappell 42). Because the D.C. area is home to hundreds of different ethnic groups, West Potomac Park provides a unique venue in which to conduct ethnography. The assumption is that, by spending time directly in the field, the researcher will encounter multiple ethnic and cultural groups. Upon observing this, then, the researcher can observe how these groups interact and the extent to which assimilation is occurring. Broad, general findings can even be inferred from this qualitative study and applied to the Northern Virginia area as a whole, in addition to providing opportunities for further study and research. A discovery made during this particular field experience revolved around the way in which different cultural groups were represented. These can be sub-divided into racial groups and religious groups. Many different faiths appeared to be represented, as did multiple cultural groups. The underlying theme of this experience was that the majority of cultural groups tended to stay together. There was very little assimilation apparent in the park. The exception to this was the observation of 10 different couples that appeared to be of different cultures enjoying a quiet lunch together. In Western society we would go so far as to say they were on a date. The implication here is that the larger the group, the more likely a particular culture or ethnicity is apt to stick together. Hoey points out that these groups are less likely to interact with other groups and other people are less likely to make contact with outsiders (Para. 3). Methodology On the surface, conducting ethnography may seem like a simple straightforward process. To be effective and to provide meaningful results, however, the researcher must approach the experience with a set method and goal in mind. Brian Hoey describes the process like this: “To develop an understanding of what it is like to live in a setting, the researcher must both become a participant in the life of the setting, while also maintaining the stance of an observer” (Para. 5). The ideal situation would be for this to take place over an extended period of time. Since that was not a possibility for this particular field experience, this student opted to spend four hours in the park on a Saturday and a Sunday afternoon. The research strategy employed was a two-part process that involved both observation and participant interaction. In order to get a good feel for the people groups represented in the park on each day, the first two hours each day were spent observing different sections of the part and making written notes about what was taking place. Any time that this student was near enough to hear verbal conversations and interactions, anything deemed interesting or noteworthy in an ethnographic sense was also recorded. The last two hours of each day was spent interacting with people. During the interaction stage of the research, contact was made with groups of people, as well as individuals or couples. This ethnographer first introduced himself and the particular course project he was working on. He then proceeded to ask the people if he could ask some open-ended questions about their interactions in the park. At no point during the research were names asked for and, if they were given in the course of conversation or interaction, they are not recorded. The purpose of the interview stage was simply to get some comments for the people in the park in a setting that could not be possible with mere observation alone. Three questions were asked of participants who were in the park with three or more people: 1) What cultural or religious group do you most closely identify yourself with? 2) Are the majority of the people in your group today of that particular group? If so, why do you think you tend to associate with people from your own cultural or religious group? 3) What other cultural groups do you associate with outside of a work setting and how would you describe your interactions with them? For couples that were in the park, the second two questions asked were as follows: 2) Do you tend to date people from within or outside your own cultural or religious group? Why do you think this is? 3) How do you think people within your own cultural or religious group would feel if they knew you were dating someone from outside your own dominate culture? After two hours, the field experience would end. The combination of both observation and interaction with the participants provided a great deal of material from which to draw conclusion on and based assumptions off. The ethnography, following this research process, also provided material off which to base future research and study on. OBSTACLES ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FIELD EXPERIENCE There were two main obstacles of note to report during this field experience. The first revolved around the larger than anticipated number of cultural groups represented in the park over the weekend. It was often difficult to get a feel for which ethnic or religious group a particular number of people belonged to. Also, because of the numbers of different languages being spoken, hearing conversations did not help the researcher because there was a lack of understanding. In addition, these people could not be approached for personal interaction because of the perceived language barrier. A second barrier to be overcome was the hesitation on the part of many in the park to allow this student to engage and interact with them. There were quite a few times when this student’s attempt at conversation would not even be acknowledged, while others resulted in near hostility. There were also occasions where individuals were hesitant to answer the questions once they were asked for fear that this student was not who he said he was. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES The first obstacle was overcome simply by choosing to focus on as many different groups in the two-hour observation period as possible. Notes were taken of the observations, with as many different ethnic groups represented as the researcher had familiarity with, and then the next group was observed. If conversations overheard could not be understood, that part of the observation process was simply skipped over until an observer did communicate in a language the student was familiar with. Overcoming objections in the second part of the field experience was not so simple. If the researcher was simply ignored, then the next group was approached. Overcoming hostility involved an apology and nothing more. At all cost, animosity and potential further antagonizing was to be avoided, as this was truly a qualitative research project with limited human interaction in the first place. If an individual expressed hesitancy over the questions being asked, this student reassured them that no pictures were taken, nor any names recorded. The information participants provided was purely for information purposes. In the end, if the participants in the park were still hesitant, then they were simply thanked for the opportunity, and the researcher moved on. There was no need to make people feel uncomfortable or anxious, as there were plenty of groups and individuals to observe and interview. This student did, however, have to remain resilient in the fact of objection and just keep trying in order to gain sufficient data to analyze and draw conclusions from. Findings During the observation stage of the research process, this observer made notes of 150 different groups or individuals/couples over the two-day time period. Of those 150 groups, more than 130 of them were represented predominately by members of the same ethnic or religious group. They did not interact or pay any attention to other groups and seemed to be genuinely happy to be amongst their own cultural group in the midst of a host culture (America) that may not have been their own. Of the 150 groups observed, more than 50 were conversing in a language other than English or Spanish (commonly considered the two dominant languages of North America). This does not necessarily mean that each group member did not know English; rather they simply felt more comfortable conversing with each other in their native tongue. This likely contributed to their lack of assimilation, or interest, in other groups. A further implication, and something to be studied further in another field experience or research project, would be to discover whether these groups were having a difficult time assimilating into American culture as well. The initial findings from the ethnography would indicate that they were, but that an inference that cannot be confirmed from two days of field observation alone. Findings from the interviews were quite telling. Overwhelmingly, participants indicated that they tended to only interact in social setting from people inside their own ethnic or religious groups. Common statements revolved around the idea that they simply felt more comfortable and free to be themselves. The participants expressed that they come to parks, such as West Potomac Park, because of the cultural diversity represented. While they do not necessarily associate with other groups, they like the number of different peoples and religions present and living together in the Northern Virginia area. When they come to West Potomac Park, and other places like it, they fell that they do not stand out. They can speak their language, eat their own food, and interact with one another, as any other member of this society would do. Finally, these findings would indicate that the Northern Virginia area is embraced so many people different cultures primarily because of its acceptance of these same people. Perhaps like few other places in the country, all groups can interact with one another without fear of being looked down upon. The people observed during the two-day field experience seemed genuinely pleased with their life, loved the people they were associating, and exhibited no animosity towards other groups. It was a peaceful afternoon for all involved. Conclusion “Ethnographic fieldwork is shaped by personal and professional identities just as these identities are shaped by individual experiences while in the field” (Hoey Par. 8). This certainly proved true for this researcher. This ethnography opened the eyes of this student be allowing him to see different cultures in an entirely new light. We are comfortable around those within our own affinity group. At the same time, however, we can still be near to those who are so far away from our own belief system. Many people believe that this country is becoming too polarized. This field experience has shown the opposite. While individuals will likely always want to associate within their own group, this ethnography has shown that they can still respect other people and other religions, just as they respect their own. There is hope for American culture yet. Works Cited Chappel, Gordon S. East and West Potomac Parks: A History,. Denver, CO: Denver Service Center, Historic Preservation Team, National Park Service, 2003. Print. Frick, Tom. “From Sweet Potatoes to God Almighty.” American Ethnologist 34.3 (2007: 581-99. Hoey, Brian A. “What Is Ethnography. Brian A. Hoey, ph.D. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. http://www.brianhoey.com/General%20Site/general_defn-ethnography.htm. Read More