Description
Book SynopsisThe inner-city world of at-risk teens through their powerful photos and stories
"Kaplan gives a group of preteens from South Central L.A. the chance to document their lives in this moving work. After telling them to 'take pictures of anything you want to show me about your experiences,' Kaplan uses the results to assemble a well-researched narrative examining how the subjects 'experience and react to the social problems associated with South Central,' their reflections on living there, and how they deal with daily challenges, including gang violence and drug warfare... [Kaplan] interweaves her subjects' stories and pieces from their photo essays with her research, reflections, and observations, confronting issues of class, race, and identity. Even casual anecdotes point to larger problems - teachers who don't care and schools that don't work."--Publishers Weekly , April 2013 "Sociologist Kaplan uses a photovoice methodology to tell the experiences of at-risk youth in South Central Los Angeles in this thought-provoking narrative of youth voices combined with research. The black-and-white photos tell the story of courage, resilience, and hope amid poverty, crime, community violence, and social disorganization. The author incorporates her research about South Central into the narrative and offers readers an understanding of South Central's history and its impact on the lives of its youth. The photos and writings of the youth and Kaplan confront race, class, and identity. This visionary photovoice approach is a must-read for youth counselors and other professionals looking to engage youth in society and decrease the likelihood of delinquent behaviors. Summing Up: Highly recommended." - Choice "Adopting a photovoice methodology, Elaine Bell Kaplan provides an engaging account documenting why a group of disadvantaged Latino and Black kids want to succeed academically, and transcend their 'ghetto' backgrounds...The main strength of the book is that it offers many insights into how socially excluded youth are keenly aware of the structures that govern their lives... [A] rich and insightful piece of work." - Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Part I Kids with Cameras
1. “What Do You Want to Tell Me about This Picture?”
2. The Photovoice Methodology
Part II History and Transformation of South Central
3. “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central while Drinking Your Juice in the Hood”
4. “Send Them All to Iraq”
Part III Kids’ School Stories
5. Teachers and Dirty Bathrooms
6. “She’s Gettin’ Her Learn On”
Part IV Kids’ Neighborhood Stories
7. “I Was Just Scared”
8. Garbage, Alleyways, and Painted Doors
Part V Kids’ Family Stories
9. Strain of a Heart
10. To Hope for Something
Appendix A: Participants by Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Age
Appendix B: University of Southern California Neighborhood Academic Initiative Program Graduate Survey, 1997–2011
Appendix C: Assignments and Questionnaire
Notes
Index
