Ethnographic Mapping Discourses of Whiteness

ABSTRACT

Drawing upon an ethnographic project in a farm community, this article outlines one specific procedure for (and benefits of) ethnographic mapping in the study of discourses of whiteness. Situated within a spatial approach, ethnographic mapping provides a vehicle for analyzing the discursive and contextual fluidity of whiteness. In particular, relationships between representational spaces and spatial practices are elucidated, which then allows the scholar to deconstruct on-the-ground embodiment of whiteness as it intersects with symbolic discursive formations in a dialectic relationship with material structures. Scholars desiring to employ maps in their research can examine (1) what is included, (2) what is excluded, (3) what labels are used to name sections and locations, (4) what is given visual prominence through size and centrality, and (5) what participants describe after having drawn their maps.

KEYWORDS:

• Qualitative methodology
• critical race theory
• space
• immigration
• socio-spatial dialectic

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. I recognize the problematic nature of this term. However, I have chosen to use it because this is the term that “Hispanic” participants used to refer to themselves.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joshua F. Hoops

Joshua F. Hoops is an Associate Professor at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. His current research examines immigration discourse through a Critical Race Theoretical lens. Dr Hoops’ research appears in publication outlets such as Critical Discourse Studies, Journal of International and Intercultural Communication, Critical Studies in Media Communication, and Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, as well as a number of edited compilations.