Being Together Through a Historical Memory Participatory Project: Our Way Through Dominant Narratives

• In Event: Grasping the Elephant: International Perspectives on Truth-Making in Participatory Design Research Projects

Abstract

In this ethnographic study we offer our analysis of the process of co-design and development of a historical memory community project in Bon Pastor, a northern suburb of Barcelona (Catalonia). This suburb was originated in 1929, in a moment of housing construction for workers from other regions of the Spanish State. At the beginning of the 60's, Gitano population moved to the suburb due to the demolition of shantytowns. Few decades later, around the 90's the population increased due to migratory movements from abroad.

Different generations coexist in the suburbs, with their singular memories and lived experiences within different historical and political periods. In this community project, we will explore Bon Pastor’s historical memory by de-centering the official and dominant narrative. To do so, high school and undergraduate students will be working from October to December 2023 in collaborative groups to research and gather historical documents and oral stories from neighbors. In the framework of our school-university collaboration Shere Rom, part of UC Links’ international network, we are currently co-designing this community project in partnership between Bon Pastor’s public high school, library and Gitano association, the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the University of Girona.

The project’s design is based on the funds of knowledge and identity approach (Gonzalez & Moll, 2002; Esteban-Guitart, 2021), by sharing the most significant places for high school’s youth as starting points to inquire: What is the urban history of that area? How meaningful is it for us, our families and our communities? How can we bring all the meanings and knowledge together? In this way, we intend to create a community of practice to mobilize the community funds of knowledge and identity, Bon Pastor’s historical memory, by attending to the present/absent memories and visibilizing the memories that have remained in the margins.

In this study we explore how this experience of decentering Bon Pastor’s dominant historical memory shifts ourselves as participants, neighbors, educational agents and researchers who are engaged together, discussing, co-designing and learning together to promote meaningful learning experiences for the youth. Through the analysis of field notes, focus groups, and transcripts of research group meetings, we attend to "the conceptual lenses, forms of relationality and professional vision developed in these processes that allow participants to see and move in new ways (Bang & Vossoughi, 2016, p.182). Through collaboration and dialogue, we challenge and disrupt dominant narratives that had determined the existence-no existence (Fanon, 1952/2009), thus humanizing and honoring the knowledge, memories and experiences of our communities. By focusing on our local experience in Bon Pastor and analyzing how this experience shifts ourselves in multiple levels, we contribute towards the collective consecution of a pluriversal future (Restrepo & Rojas, 2010).

Authors

• Silvia Camps-Orfila
  Presenting Author

• Jose Luis Lalueza, Autonomous University of Barcelona
  Presenting Author

• Cristina Zhang Yu, Universitat de Girona
  Non-Presenting Author

• Pedro Casermeiro Cortés, Rromane Siklǒvne
  Non-Presenting Author

• Carlos Hernandez Amador, Rromane Siklǒvne
  Non-Presenting Author

• Maria José Luque, Institut Escola El Til·ler
  Non-Presenting Author

• Beatriz Macias Gomez-Estern, Universidad Pablo de Olavide
  Non-Presenting Author

• Nacho Navarro Teruel, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
  Non-Presenting Author

• Mercè Ortiz Bartra, Biblioteca Bon Pastor
  Non-Presenting Author

• Daniela Searle, Universitat de Girona
  Non-Presenting Author