Learning from the Story Inside a Community

Communities are dynamic places that include so many individual and group stories.  There’s something so fascinating when you experience the transition of knowing the surface of a community to really beginning to understand some of the nuances, trends and motivations within the community. 

Last summer, I took a class in community-based qualitative research.  The class was held in a Chicago neighborhood.  Like many other people in the class, I knew very little about this neighborhood prior to taking this class.  I recall some first impressions of this neighborhood through the surface perception of the businesses, housing, people and overall geography.  Over time, we all learned more about this community through visits from leaders in community organizations, reading research, being participants in community events, and being consumers of the local businesses and arts.  During the class, we were charged with developing an interview project with one of the local organizations or businesses.  I was delighted to spend some time in the local high school learning about their exceptional programming to support social-emotional learning. 

 

Some of us have maintained a connection to this place through an on-going research group that is examining the process of this course.  Earlier today I was delighted to witness the final presentations of students who completed the course this summer.  It was wonderful to hear about their transformations as they moved from their initial impressions of the community to more sensitive understandings.  A few community leaders were also in attendance.  I am always inspired by the leaders’ intelligence, dedication and passion.  They are the true insiders who understand best the stories that this community has to tell.

Every person has a story.  Every community has a story.  Communities are dynamic and changing, but we have so much to learn if we just take the time to listen.