Alice Goffman's Ethical Boundaries

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From what I have gathered when it comes to ethnography researchers deeply immerse themselves in the social worlds of their interest. Conflict Over Sociologist's Narrative Puts Spotlight on Ethnography really puts in perspective of how crucial it is to be sensitive to ethical boundaries. With that being said, I can’t say I am against Alice Goffman’s research based on what I read in this article. I understand the concerns and perspectives of those who are critiquing her research, but in her case the population she focused on, I don’t feel they would just let random people in their “world”. Goffman’s ethical boundaries where question but also a concern emerged in regards to whom should tell the stories of others? As a woman who has worked with many young black men this article hit home for me, it took a lot for me …show more content…

In all honestly, I don’t think if I was not married to a man whom identifies himself as black and white, I would have not built the relationships that I have. My foster boys often told me I no longer was Mexican when I took them in, I was now considered a black mother. I guarantee Ms. Goffman had to work hard to gain and earn the trust of her focus group. I do understand that there are concerns of her actions to conspiracy to commit murder, but I can empathize. When I had my foster boys, one got into some legal trouble and I remember the police coming and talking to me and I told them what I knew and next thing I know I am reading it in the newspaper, but my statement was completely twisted. Not long after the police returned to ask more questions, I refused to help. Granted I didn’t know much then either, but I was frustrated that they twisted what I said, and my

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