Confronting the “200-pound Alligator:” Anti-racist Community-engaged Research Addressing Police-Inflicted Trauma on the Black Community

• In Event: 30659 - Public Sociology and Engaged Scholarship Part II

Abstract

In this paper, we present methodological lessons from a multi-method research project on the effects of policing on the well-being of the African American Community in a large, predominantly Black Midwestern city. The community-engaged research process was initiated and co-created by Black-led community organizations and representatives from an independent police oversight board. Our project qualifies as community engagement participatory research as our community partners commissioned the research, shaped research questions and aims, were present during data collection and provided input during qualitative data analysis meetings. In this paper, we analyze the research process against the theoretical backdrop of principles for anti-racist community-engaged research (Grant and Da Viera, 2023: 1) Anti-racist research is grounded in a socio-ecological approach that treats racism as a root cause of health inequities, 2) Anti-racist research embraces intersectionality, 3) Anti-racist research is emancipatory, and 4)Anti-racist research aims to be decolonial in its practice and impact (Grant and DaViera 2023). We hereby reflect if and how our research methodology qualifies as anti-racist and what is gained through such a critical reflection. Rather than trying to show how we did everything “right” we want to use the space to critically examine our community-engaged methodology and discuss ethical dilemmas that emerged on the academic and bureaucratic backstage. We emphasize the importance of a diverse research team and report on lessons learned from the community partners in terms of design, recruitment and deep engagement with the community for future qualitative research projects. We conclude by insisting that intersectional, feminist, antiracist criminological scholarship remains crucial for minoritized groups in turbulent political times. It is important that we sociologists embrace ethics and science in that we work towards knowledge that is comprehensive and captures the broad range of lived experiences rather than limiting political agendas.

Authors

• Daniela Franziska Jauk-Ajamie, University of Akron

• Robert L. Peralta, University of Akron

• Auriel Jasper-Morris, University of Akron

• Courtney Michael, The University of Akron

• Juan Xi, University of Akron

• Larry Payne, The University of Akron

• Sanaullah Khan, The University of Akron

• Xiaoshuang Iris Luo, University of California-Irvine