Today, we become cultural anthropologists, researching and writing through a critical lens, an eye for detail and nuance, and a commitment to fighting "the single narrative" wherever it may appear with a true story that better attends to the diversity of human culture and experience.
- Interview someone else. Your goal is to help them share their thoughts, ideas, practices and perspective with you. You can interview someone by phone or in person, but be sure to speak to them. Unless an ability-related accommodation is needed to carry out the interview--for example, you're interviewee can't hear, be sure to talk with them. Texting or emailing doesn't count. Calling or seeing them does. And so too "participant observation" methods count. Besides talking, what else can you and your interviewee do? Make a meal. Play a game. ANY activity that allows you to participate in another's world-and them to participate in yours.
- Your letter should be at least 200 words. Addressed to a real person you have spoken to for this assignment.
- We don't hide ourselves from our story but scrutinize the ideas and stories we bring to see the world through when writing our anthropological accounts. What are your thoughts, ideas, and feelings, and how did hearing an account of another's life or interviewing someone else impact you? Be sure to REACT to the interviewee in your letter that is not just about them, but also is written to them, from you. Make your reaction part of your account.
- Your letter should articulate, at any point, how the person's story challenges any "single story" you've heard.