My feelings about going to Spectrum’s location (2/26/09)

What location(s) are you planning to observe?
I am planning to observe the normal meeting place for Spectrum (the Student Center Multipurpose Room).
What are your assumptions about the location?
I have already visited this location once before so my ideas about the meeting place were mostly set.
What do you think you will see?
Some of my original assumptions about Spectrum’s spot were that it would have drawn pictures and pictures of drag shows on the walls. However, when I got there I found that this was (as the title of the room suggests) a multipurpose room. It is used by many other groups of people so there is one large table with many chairs in the room. There is a place to put computerized things (like power point) on a screen and this was most definitely utilized by the group.
Who do you think you will encounter and be able to talk to while observing?
I think I will see many people who are members of the group although I do not think each one will be there because I am attending a random meeting and students often have other meetings or things that prevent them from coming. I think that most (if not all) the officers of Spectrum will be there. I also think that anyone who is part of the group is willing to talk about it (even if they might not be so comfortable with me putting their information in a paper).
What do you think insiders already know about the space?
I feel that insiders find this place to be fun and not only a place to meet new friends but also a place to connect with family.
What may outsiders need to learn about the space in order to better understand the subculture?
I’m not sure if there is much to learn about this particular place because it is shared by so many people. However, Spectrum is working on getting a room of their own.
Do you think you need to be careful about colonization as you do your research and write your paper?
Yes! I feel I do because it is easier to take an outsiders view of a culture like this.
What can you do to prevent colonization from occurring in your paper?
I will try my hardest to always keep colonization in mind while writing this paper. However, whenever I get peer responses, I will ask them to pay close attention as to whether or not I do this.
-Julia St. John