Expert: Ralph Salier - 9/16/2009

Question
Hello,
I am a freshman in college and I am taking an introduction to anthropology course.  I have been assigned to read chapters out the Faye Harrison's book, Outsider Within:  Reworking Anthropology in the Global Age.  I have been assigned chapters 1, and 8-10.  I am not sure if you have ever read this book, but if you have, I would really appreciate some insight.  I have been trying to read it for a few days now, and I still have NO idea what Harrison is trying to say.  I have been looking up summaries or notes for the book online to help me get through it and understand it well, but I have had no luck.  I really need to know what it is that Harrison is trying to say.  If you could help that would be great.

Thank you for your time,
Sarah

Answer
Hi Sarah,

I have not read this book or for that matter any of her other books.  She has a rather radical approach to the field of anthropology and feels that it needs to "move on" and break its ties to the "historical view of anthropology".  In some ways she is right.  With changes taking place in the world across all cultures, we do need to formulate a new paradigm.  

How can I say this if I haven't read her materials? A fair question.  I have heard her speak and have spoken to some of her colleagues at Florida.

She is African-American, a feminist and came up during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's.  She had exposure to both the Martin Luther Kings and the Black Panthers.  She has seen the uncomfortable emergence of a post apartide society in this country.   She has seen the struggles of gender related issues come to the forefront while the race issues is still simmering on the back burner.  And then she is also seeing all of this on a global scale.  Religious conflicts, racial conflicts, Tribal conflicts, etc...  How do we look at these factors? Can we use the old anthropological lens from early 20th or 19th centuries? No, we have a much better understanding of our inter-relationships, our global connections and our commonalities as humans.  

I hope this gives you some insight.  Her materials are difficult t o get through.  I would recommend that you skim read it, then if something catches your eye, read in greater depth.  Then go back and fill in the gaps with a more in depth reading.  I also recommend that you take notes while you read and take a critical approach to it.  Develop an argument or two either in defense of or against her premises.

Good Luck, I am sorry I was not of greater assistance.