Photovoice, a method developed by Caroline Wang and Mary Ann Burris,¹ engages people in taking photos of their community to identify local problems and strengths and to develop ideas for change. Photovoice participants write about their pictures using the SHOWeD structure:
- What do you See here?
- What’s really Happening here?
- How does this relate to Our lives?
- Why does this problem or strength exist?
- What can we Do about it?
These pictures and narratives were created by YES participants who were asked to take pictures of things that could cause or prevent violence in their community.
Quinton
What do you See here?
What seems to be a good store to buy things from. It’s a liquor store.
What’s really Happening here?
This is a place where people get shot and sell drugs. People sell drugs around the store, in the store, and the clerks try to cheat the kids.
How does this relate to Our lives?
It’s a place where we go every day to get household items, and we can’t go to the store without seeing somebody selling drugs or arguing. There are usually a lot of people around the store, I think because they’re selling drugs. When kids come to the store, and they see drugs, somehow they get linked to the chain and become addicted and start selling drugs themselves.
Why does this problem or strength exist?
I think people buy drugs because it helps them get away from stress. People do crazy things when they’re high, hallucinations of bunny rabbits and things. It really makes their stress worse though, because it messes with their brains and their emotions and makes their feelings stronger and makes them think nobody around them cares about them—that’s probably why they go off on people so fast.
What can we Do about this?
We could try to get police officers at the stores because they really aren’t safe. That might decrease shoplifting and drug selling and all of that. I think they should put more commercials out about what has happened to people in real life who were on drugs.
DeShayra
What do you See here?
This is Brownell Elementary School playground.
What’s really Happening here?
This is a peaceful place for kids to have fun and enjoy themselves.
How does this relate to Our lives?
It relates to our lives because it’s not a bad place, it’s a place where people can go out and enjoy themselves with their family—it’s a nice place, and colorful. This playground gives the little ones something to do, so they don’t have to grow up around a whole bunch of drama and violence. It’s good to have programs, playgrounds, so they can do something and won’t choose the wrong thing to do.
Why does this problem or strength exist?
Because people decided to do something—they wanted something different, they wanted to do something nice for the kids. They weren’t going to keep the school the way it was, they wanted to make it look nice.
What can we Do about this?
We can keep this going by doing the same to other playgrounds, making more fun and interesting things for kids to do, in different areas. Not just for younger kids but older ones too, like young adults, so they can have a nice place to go. We can put more of these places in Flint.
Neosha
What do you See here?
A drill, a hammer, nails, tape, spray paint, some kind of paint remover, and the base of a flower pot. I took this picture at my church.
What’s really Happening here?
These things can be used in a good way or in a bad way. For instance, the drill can be used to fixed things, or it can be used to hurt someone—or in a dangerous way, or in the safe, correct way it’s supposed to be used.
How does this relate to Our lives?
We can use these things to keep things together, keep them looking nice, instead of torn, broken, and terrorized. If we use these things the wrong way, someone can get hurt very badly or suffer pain, maybe for the rest of their lives. People use the spray paint to paint on buildings, put graffiti on the walls, but it too can be used in a good way, to help keep something looking nice and neat.
Why does this problem or strength exist?
People use these things in a bad way either because they’re angry, or upset, or going through some life problems or crises. What makes people use them in a good way is if you have a positive attitude, you think positively and do positive things. Also, who you hang around with, peer pressure, and what your friends do, can make a difference in your choices.
What can we Do about this?
When kids stay busy, like I do, and get involved in programs—that can help them make the right decisions. We could hand out flyers to tell them about what we do, what we’re about, and what we plan to do to make this a better place. We could have the news come and tape our project, so people can see what we do on the news. Then they might like it, and start joining up, and we can get more people involved in our program. The more the better.
Kyleah
What do you See here?
Plants growing onto the abandoned house, broken windows, and holes in the siding by the porch.
What’s really Happening here?
People have just left their house—they didn’t say anything about it or tell anyone when they abandoned it.
How does this relate to Our lives?
If people around see abandon houses they’ll think the houses around it are just like it. We can’t build more houses because they have to tear down this one first. People can hang out here when they’re not supposed to, and do stuff they’re not supposed to. Gangs can use this house to sell stuff and as a hideout.
Why does this problem or strength exist?
People are poor, and they can’t afford to fix their house, or someone broke in a made a lot of damage—and they didn’t feel like fixing it, so they just left.
What can we Do about this?
We could tear down the house and build a new one—or we could fix the damage. The neighbors could help the people out who didn’t have money to fix their house. The neighborhood could have a watch set to make sure nobody breaks into anybody else’s house. They could also watch out for the gangs selling stuff or hiding there.
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