My portfolio showcases various writing pieces that I complete throughout my English 21002 – Writing for the Social Sciences class during the 2019-2020 fall semester.
Graded Assignments
Peer Interview
“The Walking Goat,” the name given to Danny Baichu by his brother, Aaron, who looks up to him and aspires to follow in his footsteps.
We sat across from one another on bar stools that lined the wall of the quartz kitchen island. It was Sunday afternoon, and rays of sunlight beamed through the window behind him. He sat there patiently while I gathered my notebook and opened it to a blank page. He looked dapper in his ripped jeans and black graphic t-shirt that bared the logo of the hit nineties show, Friends. He wore white socks with a red line and Nike Benassi slides. His attire complemented his black hair and his neatly trimmed beard and mustache. I could tell he was calm by the way he sat on the stool, not tense, smiling. I had a strong feeling that this interview would go good partly because the person I interviewed is my brother.
Danny was born in the Bronx on January 15, 1998, and he is twenty-one years old. My parents chose “Danny” when he was born because they liked the name. Since he was little, our family members have called him “Danny Boy.” Both of his parents are Guyanese, but his ancestors came from India during the 1800s. Danny is the oldest of two siblings; I am the younger one. For most of his life, Danny lived in the Bronx, but between the ages of six to eight, he and his family lived in Kissimmee, Florida. They moved back to New York in 2006. Growing up Danny liked Baseball and he played it with me in our backyard using our yellow plastic bat and white baseball. We both took turns batting and pitching until we were tired. Although he doesn’t keep up with the sport, he still “enjoys the sport and considers it to be his favorite.”
Danny’s favorite dish is “jerk chicken with rice and peas” because of its delicious flavors which remind him of his Caribbean heritage. Danny likes listening to music, and his favorite genres include Dancehall and British trap music. Danny “likes to read texts that pertain to real-world events and history.” He favors nonfiction over fiction. He likes to “write about historical events” but he hates writing traditional essays that restrict him. He is also an avid drawer and his artistic skills have influenced his decision to minor in art.
Danny Baichu is a senior at The City College of New York who expects to graduate in May 2020. Danny attended Astor Collegiate Academy; a high school that is a part of the Christopher Columbus Education Campus in the Bronx. Danny chose the City College of New York because of the school’s “profound history and immense opportunities.” The school offered majors that he felt drawn too. He also wanted to attend City College because our father attended the school during the 1990s. This family connection to City College played a role when I was choosing a college much like when my brother did. Danny is majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Art. After graduating, Danny hopes to find work in the “Human Resource and Marketing fields.” He previously worked as a library page, someone who performs a variety of tasks around a library, at the Harry Belafonte Library in Harlem. He has since left his position there to intern with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He hopes to get a fulltime job with them one day because of “the great pay and benefits that come along with the different positions offered.” Danny was exposed to the MTA through our father’s position as a Bus Maintainer at the Gun Hill Bus Depot and other family members who work for the organization.
If he won the lottery, Danny said: “I would buy a nice house and car, give money to my family, donate to help feed children who don’t have food and invest in income real estate.” He would continue his education at City College because “I want to make something out of myself, and I don’t want to change that because of money.” I knew these statements were the highlight of the interview. They showed who Danny is and that he has values and principles. Ten years from now, Danny sees himself living with his own family, in a nice house, with a nice car and most importantly a stable job. Danny would like to remain in New York after graduating and he wants to work in the city, but he may want to live in the suburbs of Westchester County. Danny is most happy when he is “spending time with my family and drinking a cold Budweiser.”
Danny Baichu is a well-rounded person who is ambitious and determined to be successful and do wonderful things. Our conversation was like any other that Danny and I usually have. The conversation flowed smoothly, and it was laid back. There were no silent moments as Danny and I talked, and as I asked him questions, I could see that he answered with genuine responses. I felt relaxed during the interview. I didn’t have to deal with the experience of meeting someone new, so I felt calm and relaxed. I was not stressed that I would not get enough information to write about my partner. This conversation has brought Danny and me closer together once again and it shows me who “Danny” is. Danny is someone I look up and I view him as a role model in my life and beside my parents, he always looks out for me and helps me when I need it. This has earned him the title “The Walking Goat” in my book, not only because he is a Capricorn but also because he’s the Greatest of All Time.
Field Site Observations
Have you ever realized the impact of The New York City Subway system on society? The Subway system has played a huge part in the development of the city ever since its introduction in 1904. The accessible system has provided millions of New Yorkers with a simple means of transportation. Many use the system daily to complete a wide variety of tasks, from going to work, school or even an adventure. The New York City Subway system is a highway to opportunity, and it only cost $2.75.
I left my house at 8:05 am on Friday. The sun was shining but It was merely a trick because a cold breeze came out of nowhere and hit me in my face. I was headed to the Castle Hill train station which is a five-minute walk from my house. When I got to the station, I walked up the metal stairs on to the station mezzanine, this is where the teller booth and turnstiles lived. Before walking through the turnstiles, I headed to the teller booth. There I encountered a Hispanic male. His head was bald, and he wore a light blue shirt with dark pants, and he had on an MTA tie. With a welcoming smile, he said: “Hi, how may I help you?” I soon replied “Hi, can I get a MetroCard for a dollar and can you put ten on it?”, I slid eleven dollars under the little window and the man worked some computer magic, sliding back a fresh yellow MetroCard to me. “Thanks,” I said, “No problem, enjoy your ride!”
I saw that a train was coming soon so I swiped my card, passed through the grey turnstiles and made a right. The right side led to the Brooklyn-Bound City Hall (Downtown) trains. When I got on top of the platform, it was quite full. There were men, women, and children waiting for the train which was supposed to arrive two minutes ago. “Of course, it’s late,” I overheard a man tell his friend. After waiting a few more minutes, the train still hadn’t come so I decided to consult my Google Maps, but it was no use. Eventually, the platform display time immediately changed from “2 Minutes” to “Approaching.” Then the Announcer came on and said, “There is a downtown local 6 train to Brooklyn-Bridge City Hall, approaching the station, please stand away from the platform edge.” When the grey Iron Horse (Train) with MTA decals arrived, many commuters looked eager to get on. I decided to let everyone enter before me, and I soon regretted this because when I got on the train it was packed like a sardine can, from end to end. Thankfully I was able to squeeze into a spot, but I could not help but think I was violating someone’s space. As the train proceeded with its route, I began to regret taking the local service.
The inside of the train was a mix of old and modern aspects. The seats were occupied but I caught a glimpse of the seat colors, dark yellow and dark orange. It’s like the seats came out of the seventies, but besides that, the train car was quite modern. The floors were black with white specks. The train walls consisted of several windows. Above, the ceilings were white, and a wide variety of adverts lived on the walls of the train. The only one that caught my eye was the Casper Mattress ad, “If only I could be at home sleeping.” As the train continued, many commuters entered and exited the train at different stops each following a different agenda. I eventually shimmied my way into a spot which allowed me to brace against the metal door with a glass window.
The commuters on the train consisted of men, women, and children of different ethnicities (Black, White, Indian, Hispanic), ages, professions, and social classes. From where I stood, I could see everyone, but I tried my best not to make it obvious that I was watching them. Many commuters traveled alone, or with their families. I saw multiple commuters with headphones on and almost two-thirds of the commuters had out their phones browsing, playing games, reading and even talking. Since it was a weekday, many commuters also had bags. Children and teenagers had on backpacks and some wore school uniforms while others hand on casual attire. Some men and women had backpacks as well, but most of them either had briefcases, satchels or purses. During the ride, I realized that many people tried keeping to themselves probably because of how early it was, their commute was the only time they had to themselves before they clocked into school or work. Some commuters even took this time to close their eyes and rest. However, this changed when the train pulled into the Hunts Point Station. After commuters exited and entered the train, the announcer came on and said, “Sorry for the inconvenience, we are being held by the dispatcher and we’ll be moving shortly.” The announcer said the same announcement several times in five-minutes, but the train still hadn’t moved. This is when the commuters showed their true colors. Those who had their eyes closed opened them, and commuters were enraged. “This is ridiculous, I’m going to be late,” I overheard an African American male say and I saw others rolling their eyes and kissing their teeth. The commuters had gone angry and the only way to fix it would be to move.
After the train finally moved, I felt relieved knowing that I was not going to be stuck underground. Since the train was moving again, commuters began putting back on their headphones, gazing at their screens and closing their eyes as they slowly crawled back into their own unique and individual habitats. Besides my enjoyment of the train ride and the obnoxious noise made from the train wheels riding along the track, the train car had become quiet as everyone did their own thing. That is until the middle door of the train car swung open and a man with a little sign entered. The man was old, and his clothing was worn out and he looked sickly and homeless. The man walked into the middle of the car said, “Excuse me everyone If you could spare some change, I would appreciate it. Thank you and God bless you!” I saw that many people didn’t pay attention to what he was saying, they kept on doing their own thing. On the other end of the train, I saw a woman give the man some change and after that, the man proceeded to the next car. I wasn’t surprised to see a homeless person on the train because the subway system could be seen as a safe haven for them especially on cold days like this one.
I stayed on the train until I reached 125th street in Harlem. This stop was different from the stops I passed because you could transfer to the 4 or 5 train here. When the train arrived here, I saw that many commuters were in a hurry. It looked like they were getting ready to run and that’s exactly what they did because the 4 train had just pulled into the station as well. Since I was standing at the back of the train, I was one of the last ones to get out. I saw that many commuters piled onto the train as well and as I watched as the train departed the station. The 125th street station was made of stone tiled floors and subway tiled walls with mosaics. The train tracks were very black and dusty. There was even garbage laying freely in between the tracks. One by one the 6-train side continued to fill up at a fast rate. Before I knew it, the station was full and hectic. Seeing that I had no intention of proceeding deeper into the city on this day, I decided to take the stairs up to the uptown platforms where I waited for a 6 train to return home.
The New York City Subway System is like a giant organ that keeps the city running. Riding the 6-train allowed me to see how subway commuters act. I found it exciting to ride the train and learn about the commuters who make up the system. The main takeaways that I saw amongst a huge majority of the commuters were that commuters like to keep to themselves and avoid interaction and conflict. I also saw that many commuters relied on technology to get them through their journey. I don’t believe every train ride is the same, but I feel these takeaways are most likely present in every train ride. It was a great experience and I wouldn’t mind doing it for other train lines.
Field Study Interview – One
Field Study Interview: Danny Baichu
Transcript Excerpt from Interview –
Me: Good Afternoon, I am about to conduct an interview with you regarding my field study on 6 train commuters. To start off, what is your name and age?
Danny: I know you know the answer to this but just for the record, My name is Danny Baichu and I am twenty-one years old.
Me: Now that we have that out of the way, how about I gather some more information.
Danny: As long as you don’t try to steal my identity, then sure
Me: How long have you been using the 6 train?
Danny: I have been using the 6 train daily since 2013, so basically 6 years
Me: So 6 years on the 6 trains? *We both laughed* okay, okay let’s continue, what do you primarily use the 6 train for?
Danny: Well, I use the 6 train primarily for school and work, but I also use it for leisure especially when I want to venture into the city, which is often.
Me: I think it’s wonderful that you use the 6 train to do all those things… So where do you live?
Danny: I live in the Bronx with my family who also use the 6 train to commute but they don’t use it as much as I do. I use the 6 train 6 days a week from Monday to Saturday.
Me: Seems to me like you got a lot on your plate, and since you do use the 6 train 6 days a week, do you feel as if the 6 train plays an important role in your life?
Danny: Yeah, of course. Without it I cannot get to where I need to go. Without it I wouldn’t be able to commute to school and work, the two places that make up the majority of my weekly schedule.
Me: Now that we’ve gotten the general questions out of the way how about we move onto some more personal questions?
Danny: Yeah, let’s do it!
— End of Transcript —
I sat in the hallway of the Colin Powell school located on the fourth floor of the North Academic Center waiting for my informant. The hallway was empty, and the foot traffic in this area was minimal so I thought it would be the best place to conduct my interview. I braced against the tan colored bricked wall and opened my book bag to grab my laptop. My informant was due to arrive at any time and I wanted to be ready for when he came. I opened the word document with my interview questions and waited for my informant and two minutes later he arrived. He greeted me with a smile, and I got up and shook his hand asking him “Are you okay with this spot?” quickly he responded with “Yeah, this is fine! I sit in this spot and do work here sometimes because it’s nice and quiet.” He wore a light grey sweatshirt with light washed jeans that had rips on them. On top of his sweatshirt he wore a nice trucker styled corduroy jacket with white Sherpa fur, he looked like he was very warm. On his feet, he wore white socks with brown Clark loafers. His hair was black, and his beard was low and trimmed neatly. By the way he greeted me with enthusiasm, I could tell he was calm. He sat his belongings on the ground and turned towards me, saying “I’m ready if you are,” to which I said, “Let’s begin.”
Before I started asking him any questions, I explained to him that I would be asking him some questions regarding my field study on 6 train commuters. “Yeah, that’s not a problem.” I began by asking him some general questions that would introduce the topic and open up the conversation a bit. I didn’t want to start by bombarding him with random questions, so I decided to start with a simple one. “Can you state your name and age, please,” he laughed because he knew I already knew this information, but he played along. “Danny Baichu and I am twenty-one years old.” We continued with some closed questions and although they were meant to just give some background on the informant, I learned a lot about Danny. Danny lives in the Bronx and he’s been using the 6 train daily since 2013, “I use the 6 train primarily for school and work, but I also use it for leisure especially when I want to venture into the city, which is often.” Not only does Danny use the 6 train to travel daily, but he also uses six days out of the week so he’s no stranger to the system at all. Amazed at how often he uses the 6 train, I couldn’t help but asking him if he feels the 6 train plays a huge role in his life and without hesitating, he said “Yeah, of course. Without it, I cannot get to where I need to go. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to commute to school and work, the two places that make up the majority of my weekly schedule.”
Danny’s first time on a 6 train was when he was only nine years old and every time, he passes the Hunt Points station, he cannot help but remember the moment because it was the first time, he “went underground with a train.” Today, the 6 train has become Danny’s main method of transportation because he believes it’s “more efficient than bus services that run the same route.” Most of the time, Danny gets a seat on the train but sometimes he is forced to brace on the train door that says “Don’t lean on,” most of the time Danny has out his phone while on the train, and he either listens to music or browse different apps and sites. Since Danny leaves home early in the morning, he constantly finds himself shutting his eyes for a few minutes while on the train. As Danny and I continued talking I could see that he was more open about the topic, going as far as to express his feels toward the system.
“I do feel as if the 6 train is a reliable service because it’s always there when I need it,” Although Danny is met with delays and overcrowding a few times per month, he couldn’t help but praise the 6 train because of how much it benefits him. Even when there are problems, the MTA steps in to fix the problem immediately. This was the case when Danny recently got on a 6 train one morning just to be met with delays because of track problems but by the time he was ready to go home in the afternoon all the problems had been fixed. The only negative Danny mentioned about the 6 train was that some of its stations are very dilapidated, “the underground trains stations are a nightmare, especially 3rd ave 138th street station,” not only are there rats, the tiles are falling off the wall, garbage lies on the track and stains live on the walls. Besides this Danny has also been noticing new actions taken by the MTA/NYCTA to renovate and modernize the 6-train system, such as the renovations of the Longwood train station. He’s also seen the implementation of the new OMNY card system and kiosks.
After asking Danny about the subway car designs, he did not hesitate to stay that they are inefficient. “The designs are very vintage; however, I feel as if it’s time for a change when it comes to subway car designs. They are outdated and they can use some needed work.” And I couldn’t agree more with Danny. While we were on the topic of subway cars, I began asking Danny if he could tell me about the other commuters on the train, “most of them are just trying to get on with their day just like me, they are either on their ways to school or work.” Like other commuters, Danny likes when his train ride is nice and quiet but sometimes, he encounters some commuters who are loud, and sometimes he observes rude travelers, but he does his best to stay away and avoid conflict.
“I would allocate money towards three main things, the rehabilitation of stations across the city, train signal and technological improvements and customer service initiatives.” These are the things Danny would do if was put in a power changing position and given a large sum of money to improve the subway system. I could tell that Danny holds the 6 train in high regard because of the role it plays in his life. After interviewing Danny for almost thirty minutes, he told me he had to go because his next class was about to start. I thanked him for allowing me to interview him and he said, “No problem, I enjoyed it”, I too enjoyed it. We shook each other’s hand and he then disappeared around the corner and I was left alone in the hallway. I never realized how big of an impact public transportation could have on a commuter’s life. Danny’s responses and thoughts on the system helped me understand the role of the commuter. Especially in a big city like New York, the subway system is an organ that keeps everything running. During the conversation, I could tell Danny had a genuine interest in the topics that we talked about, during some parts of the conversation his face began to light up as he gave me detailed answers to different questions. Being that I know Danny, this conversation was like any other that we’ve had before except this time I limited my input into the conversation. I also saw that Danny got comfortable in the spot that we were in, and when it was time for him to go it didn’t look like he wanted to go although he had to. As an interviewer, Danny made me feel comfortable he didn’t pressure me or try to take over the conversation, at no point did he start questioning me or act rude towards me. I am happy with the results of this interview, and I feel the information provided here helps me better understand my subculture, 6 train commuters.
Field Study Interview – Two
Field Study Interview: Andrea Narine
Transcript Excerpt from Interview –
Me: Hi, how are you? Today I will be asking you some questions that pertain with my field study on 6 train commuters. Just for the record can you please state your name and age?
Andrea: My name is Andrea Narine and I am twenty years old.
Me: Very well, now I’m just going to ask you a few preliminary questions.
Andrea: Sure no problem, go for it.
Me: So how long have you been using the 6 train?
Andrea: Well let’s see, I started City College in 2016-2017 so almost three years. I’ve been using the 6 since I was a freshman.
Me: Good to know, and I see that you’ve already touched on my next question, do you primarily use the 6 train for?
Andrea: Ah that’s easy, I use it for everything. I use it to travel to school, work and to just travel within the city.
Me: Since you use the 6 train often, would you just state where you live?
Andrea: Oh I live in Queens but like I mentioned earlier I’m always traveling within Manhattan because of school and work so I find myself on the 6 train often.
Me: Does the 6 train play an important role in your life? It sure looks like it.
Andrea: You’re spot on with that, the 6 train plays a huge role in my life. It’s my main method of transportation. The 6 train is one of those things that I depend on.
Me: Great! That’s good to know, so how about we go on to some more personal questions?
Andrea: Yeah, ask away!
— End of Transcript —
After interviewing my first informant in the hallway of the Colin Powell school, I decided that I would use the same spot to conduct my second interview. My informant and I met up and I told her we where we will be conducting the interview, asking her if that is fine, she replied: “Yeah, that’s okay.” After arriving at the spot, we both set our belongings on the ground and we each took a seat. As my informant patiently waited, I open my laptop up to the word document which was already open. My informant was light-skinned and had long black hair. She wore a navy-blue hoodie sweater with black pants. She also had on a dark blue jean jacket that she kept unbuttoned so that the design on her hoodie can be visible. On her feet, she wore white Nike’s that shined. “Are you ready?” I asked as she responded, “Yeah, you can start.”
I explained to my informant that I would be asking her some questions regarding my field study on 6 train commuters. “That will be fine, I’m hoping I can help in any way,” she said after I introduced the topic to her. “Can you please state your name and age,” I asked her, “Well, my name is Andrea Narine and I am twenty years old.” Andrea is from Queens; NY and she has been using the 6 train for three years. “I started City College in 2016-2017 so almost three years. I’ve been using the 6 since I was a freshman,” Although the 6 train doesn’t run in Queens, Andrea finds herself on it constantly because of school. But in the past year, her use of the system has increased because she now uses the system to go to work and she also uses it for leisure. She essentially uses the 6 train as her main method of transportation while traveling within Manhattan and the Bronx, which she does often. Seeing that she uses the system often I asked Andrea if she feels the system plays an important role in her life, she quickly responded with “You’re spot on with that, the 6 train plays a huge role in my life. It’s one of my main method of transportation. The 6 train is one of those things that I depend on.”
Andrea first used the 6 train when she was a small child, she couldn’t recall her exact age, but she could remember what she saw. “I was still able to get a seat near the window and I couldn’t stop looking outside,” the views that she saw from the train seat captured her and even today she cannot help but turn around and watch the different views as the train proceeds with its route. Andrea’s typical commute consists of her getting on the train and looking for a place to sit, depending on the time she gets on, she may get a seat but most of the time she has to stand but she doesn’t complain because the 6 train “gets me where I need to be.” While on the train Andrea is usually on her phone, and she always has her Airpods. Since she travels alone most of the time, she likes to keeps to herself, but she always stays aware of her surroundings because “sometimes there are some mean commuters, but you can’t let them get to you, you just got to keep your head down and go on with your day.” Otherwise, Andrea said her typical train ride is quiet, that is if you don’t pay attention to the loud noises made by the subway car running on the tracks. Andrea also noted that the commuters around her act in a similar manner, “most of the time they are quite just like me, they usually have their headphones on, or their phones out or they do nothing at all.”
“I strongly feel as if the 6 train is a reliable service because I depend on it daily to get me around and it does just that.” Although Andrea feels the system can be better, she cannot argue with the system already in place because at the end of the day, it’s there when she needs it the most. Andrea stated that she would love it if the different stations could be made better. The stations may do their jobs but many of them are old and they do not “accommodate people of modern times.” She said she would like to see “station renovations, new train cars, and more technology involved in every ride.” Andrea feels that technology is a big part of society and that more of it should be incorporated into the subway cars and stations, similar to how the MTA incorporated Wi-Fi and charging services in bus services and stops.
“The 6 train is missing modernity, it feels as if the system is stuck in a different period, the stations and trains need work.” Andrea made it clear that some stations failed to move on with time, and many stations along the 6 line show it because some are heavily outdated. Just the other day she stopped at a station, and all she saw were dirty stains on the once beautiful subway tiled walls. “It’s sad,” she said, after telling me that she realized that the MTA focuses on the bigger stations and projects, instead of smaller renovations. Andrea, however, has a plan in case she is ever given a chance to make changes to the MTA subway system, “ I would renovate the train cars and stations; it would be nice to see better aesthetics. I would want the NYC subway system to be on par with that of Canada’s TTC and England’s Underground.” She fancies a cutting edge modernized system.
The impact of the 6-train runs further than the boroughs it runs in, especially for Andrea, the Queens native who finds herself using the system constantly. I was glad to see how a train service could have an impact on one’s life, especially when they depend on it to get to school, work and home. The conversation between Andrea and I went very well. Before this interview, we’ve spoken before, so there were no “barriers” to be broken so I didn’t feel nervous or uncomfortable. I feel she was comfortable as well because of her facial expressions which displayed a sense of interest as we spoke about the topic. At no point was she overpowering or rude, she followed my initial lead then expanded on each question at her own will. I am glad about the result that I received from this interview and my other one because they helped corroborate the data I gathered while conducting research and the actual observation of my field site.
Final Paper / Self-Assessment Essay
Since this section is quite long, I’ve created a whole page that is dedicated to it.
Discussion Board Posts
Response to Rick Zollo
Rick Zollo’s field study, Friday Night at Iowa 80, was very detailed and it provided a very accurate depiction of a truck stop through the use of first-hand encounters between Zollo, informants and the overall surroundings of Iowa 80. Zollo documented his journey as he ventured through the different sections of the truck stop, and he even provided readers with pictures of the stop to help them further visualize his surroundings. Zollo presented his field study almost as if it were a narrative, and although he cites notable pieces of work, the study does not feel like a generic research paper that is meant to just list findings, stats, etc. It is also noticeable that this topic is something that Zollo is very intrigued by, and his field study shows it because he provides readers with a lot of information and no part of his study is vague. What intrigued me the most was how the information Zollo gathered from doing interviews with different types of people at the truck stop helped provide his study with so much information. This shows me that one can gather a lot of information just by interacting with others. I was also intrigued by the fact that Zollo initiated conversations with random people, and he wasn’t afraid to approach them. The thing that surprised me the most was how the informants that Zollo approached were somewhat decent towards him and they tried to provide him with information for his study. Although not all the truckers were very open, they allowed Zollo to interact with them. Also, I was surprised that Zollo did not feel out of place, and as he made his way throughout the truck stop, he just went with the flow and gathered his information. He took in every little aspect of the truck stop almost as if he were a trucker lost in truck stop heaven. Throughout his study, Zollo maintained a very inquisitive tone and he was genuinely excited to hear from the people he interviewed. At no point in his study did he seem bored or out of place, and he kept searching for evidence in all parts of the truck stop. When Zollo told the stories about the people he interviewed he portrayed it as conversations and he essentially tried to match and appearance with a voice. To do this he described each person interviewed and he noted their actions and attire. Overall, I liked this field study because it was well developed, and it was very informative and interesting.
Response to House of the Homeless
Ivana Nikolic’s field study, House of the Homeless, provided readers with an inside look at the lives of homeless guests at the Ramsey House. Nikolic’s interest in the subculture of homelessness came about through her own experiences as a refugee who had to leave her home country, Bosnia, to escape the war. After emigrating to the United States, Nikolic would see homeless people often and overtime she became curious and drawn to the subculture as she began to question different aspects of the “homeless” lifestyle. This inquisitive nature led her to the Ramsey house where she volunteered and searched for the answers she desired. I was intrigued by the fact that Nikolic went the extra step and volunteered at a homeless shelter rather than just interviewing homeless people on the street. I was intrigued by this because it showed me that this topic is something Nikolic cared a lot about, and along the way, she attempted to help the homeless while trying to get closer to them. I was also intrigued by Nikolic’s findings which tried to debunk stereotypes against the homeless, such as how they’re only drug addicts or alcoholics. This is not the case and Nikolic showed it when she talked to informants such as Alejandro and Solomon. Both of these men left their countries, they also left behind their families and jobs in search of something more. This showed me that not all homeless people fall victim to drugs and alcohol, but it did show me stereotypes hold them back. I was surprised that many of the homeless guests at the Ramsey House opened up to Nikolic, and none of them were “hostile” towards her. Since these people are homeless, they often keep to themselves unless they take part in small talk. However, many of the informants interviewed by Nikolic carried on conversations with her and the information they provided enhanced her work. After observing the way the informants talked to Nikolic it had me wondering whether homeless people didn’t want to keep to themselves, instead they wanted to express themselves, but they couldn’t because of stereotypes in society. Overall, Nikolic developed a detailed study that I enjoyed because of the way it was written. Nikolic wrote the study in a way that was similar to Rick Zollo’s, Friday Nights at Iowa 80. The narrative tone and story-like feel of the study made it seem as if the study was fictional when in reality it was nonfiction. I like this style of writing because it doesn’t just relay the information found in a traditional research paper format, instead, it captivates the reader by turning the information and evidence into a story.
Response to Out Patients
Elise Wu’s field study, Out Patients, is different from the other field studies read in class because her study is done primarily online, with little physical human interaction or observation. Wu’s study is on a condition known as factitious disorder, a sickness that causes one to act as if they are in pain by creating false symptoms. Although Wu’s study is done online, she is able to provide readers with her own experience because she suffered from factitious disorder years earlier. I was intrigued by the fact that Wu was able to develop an entire study online and that most of her work relied on in depth research from an anonymous point of view. I feel as if an anonymous point of view can be used by introverts to develop a field study because this approach seems to involve the least amount of physical interaction. I was surprised that Wu was actually able to gain other experiences from the forums and websites she visited; these accounts enhanced her study because it provided personal experiences besides Wu’s own experiences. I feel as if Wu’s study would have lacked detail if she didn’t research the effects of factitious disorder found in other humans. I was also amazed by all the footnotes created by Wu, its almost as if she created a footprint throughout the making of this whole study by documenting everywhere, she went and things she mentioned. Overall, the study was very detailed, and I liked it because of the online approach it took. Much like the other field studies read in class this study was written like a story, but it also had a research feel to it because of all the references it made to other pieces of work. I liked this style of writing because it was a mix between research and storytelling.
Aaron Baichu - The New York City Subway 