Reading Response

As I was reading through Hull's "Being There" I found it a little contradictory. She talks about how you should live as they do, not having a cold drink in front of someone who is not allowed to have one. You should try to feel what they feel, even if only a little. She says to be as open as you possibly can with your subjects. Go to their churches. Hull gives the example of being annointed with olive oil at a Pentecostal church. Some of the other authors give similar tips, saying physical presence is the best research, and building a relationship with the subject gives the story depth.

The comment in Hull's "Being There" that bothered me was "Remember, you are not one of them." Don't dance at parties, don't drink beer, don't bow your head while others are praying, don't participate. How can you really build a relationship with your subjects and feel what they're feeling if you purposely act as an outsider in situations? Would it be possible to profile a chef without tasting his creations? Can you really "be there" as a fly on the wall? And will they truly open up to you if they feel you staring at them while they go about their daily life? I would expect to be shut out of a community from acting seemingly disrespectful in a prayer session. Other than this portion of Hull's tips I really liked what she suggested.