Running head: PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT PART 2

Photo Elicitation Project Part 2

Andrea De Leon
Loyola University Chicago

PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT PART 2

Social Justice

PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT PART 2

This is a photo of a sign posted in a car on the Red Line train. When I thought to take a photo of
the sign, it was because I felt that it demonstrated advocacy for those who suffer from disabilities
and/or limited mobility. I understand social justice as actions taken to create a society in which
all members have equal opportunities to live and exist in a fair and just way. This sign is
advocating for social justice. It is asking privileged (able-bodied) members of society to allow
oppressed (disabled and/or elderly) members of society to have equal access to seating on the
train. The sign displays an effort to create a socially just society.
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I decided to keep this photo because I still think that it is a good representation of social justice.
In class, we talked about acts of advocacy and the things that are done to promote social justice
in our society. I think that signs like this one are important because they are subtle reminders
that we need to think about other identities and the steps that we can take to ensure that all
members of our society are given equal opportunities to exist in a fair and just way.

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Over the course of the last few months, I have learned that one of the best representations of
social justice is someone who educates others about social justice. Vijay spoke to us early on in
the semester, and the impact that he made has not gone away. I learned a lot from him, and he
helped me realize that I have the power to be a representation of social justice myself. Through
his work at DePaul, his personal consulting, and his blog, Vijay does an excellent job of not just
educating others about social justice, but living social justice himself. He gives professional
presentations, writes about it on his blog, and even talks about social justice over coffee with
colleagues and friends. I really do think that he is a great representation of social justice, and he
has inspired me to be something similar.

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This is a picture of the door to a local business located near Loyolas Lake Shore Campus. When
walking past, the blue and yellow sticker caught my eye. This sticker is the official symbol of
the Human Rights Campaign, which is a civil rights organization that advocates for members of
the LGBT community. This photo represents a local business that supports the efforts made to
ensure equal opportunities for members of an oppressed group. The owners of this business are
happy to display their belief that society ought to be just, and their act of displaying the sticker is
an effort to show support for members of the oppressed group.
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I decided to keep this photo because I still believe that it is a great representation of social
justice. The Human Rights Campaign logo is widely recognized, and makes people think of
social justice. Anytime I see the equal sign, I think of the work that is being done to reach a
socially just society.

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Oppression

PHOTO ELICITATION PROJECT PART 2

I took a special trip to The Wieners Circle just so that I

could take this photo. I understand that what happens at this establishment started as a playful
way to engage customers, but what it has developed into is in no way, shape, or form acceptable.
It is hurtful, cruel, and a clear picture of what oppression in our society looks like. What hurts
the most is that many people do not see the honest pain behind what happens here. So many
people still think that it is a joke and that it can continue because it is fun. It is not fun. It is not
a joke. It is serious, deep, rooted oppression and it needs to stop. The employees here are
victimized on a regular basis and no one tries to do anything about it. If you have not yet
noticed, this really fires me up. I do not know what I can or want to do about it, but I do know
that I cannot live in the city of Chicago and do nothing.

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I remembered seeing this sign posted at a restaurant a few weeks ago, and decided to return just
so that I could take a photo of it. This sign means oppression because it is blatantly
discriminating against a certain population. Those who do not have the means or ability to wear
proper attire will not be served in this restaurant. In this case, proper attire likely means
business casual, or dressy casual. There are many members of our society who do not have
access to proper attire, which means that they are automatically turned away from dining in
this establishment. This sign clearly demonstrates an act of oppression.
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I really liked this photo when I took it for the first part of this project, and I still think it applies
well, even after having learned more about oppression through this course. In class, we talked a
lot about microaggressions and covert acts of oppression. I think that this sign is a great example
of both, as it sends a subtle message that not all people in society have an equal and fair
opportunity to be served as this establishment.

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As I was walking to the bus stop after taking a picture of The Wieners Circle, I passed this and
actually did a double take because I initially thought that it was a real person. After walking a
few feet past it, I turned around to take a photo because it so clearly spoke oppression to me. I
do not have any information about this sculpture or piece of art, but I do know that I saw it as a
human being, being chained to the ground and unable to move forward. As I learned more about
oppression in this course, I began to understand it as a deeply rooted problem that makes people
feel stuck, and hopeless. I think that this sculpture is an excellent representation of what
oppression in our society not only looks like, but also feels like for those who experience it.

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Privilege

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My keys speak to the concept of privilege in more than one way. First of all, my Loyola
student ID represents the reality that I am a graduate student, which I consider to be a privilege.
Secondly, there are several keys that represent the privilege that I experience on a daily basis.
One of the keys is to my apartment, which means that I have a safe and comfortable place to live.
The other keys represent the reality that I have a job, as each one provides access to a different
office in my place of employment. There is also a car key on the ring. Having a car is a
privilege that I recognize every time that I drive it, especially now that I live in a city. Having a
means of transportation allows me to access things that many other members of society cannot.
It is amazing how much I can see my privilege just by looking at my keys.
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I decided to keep this photo because this course helped me to see more of my own privilege, and
I think that this photo is an excellent representation of my understanding of that privilege. I still
have the same keys, and experience the same privilege today as I did in September.

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The ability to freely have access to a public restroom that

meets my needs is a privilege that I never once considered until this course. It amazes me how
much I have taken something like this for granted. What I have learned is that not having to
think about whether or not a restroom is available and suitable for me is a huge privilege that
many others do not get to experience. I think it is safe to say that many others do not realize the
power of this privilege, as we are not forced to think about it on a regular basis. For those who
do not experience such opportunity, though, I imagine that daily life is much more difficult. I
gained a lot of perspective from learning about this privilege that I have.

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During one of the class activities that we did this semester, I realized just how much of a
privilege it is to have access to, or be in possession of books. I grew up with very few books in
my household, and it makes sense considering the reality that neither of my parents are college
educated. I decided to take a photo of some of the books that I currently own, at age 22. I am
still so young, yet I already own more books than my parents did when they were 35-years-old. I
imagine that my book collection will continue to grow as I continue to pursue further education.
It is my hope that they continue to serve as a constant reminder of just how privileged I am to
have received the education that I have.

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When I began this course, I thought that I had a pretty firm understanding of what social
justice, oppression, and privilege meant. I was fortunate enough to take a very similar course as
an undergraduate, and I think that it prepared me well for what I experienced throughout this
class. However, there is no denying that I have learned a lot in the last few months, and my eyes
have been opened to the deeply rooted issues in our society. I have gained a better understanding
of what each of these concepts actually mean, and I am hopeful that this new understanding will
help me to become a better student affairs professional, a better educator, and ultimately, a better
citizen of our global society.
When I took my social justice photos for the first part of the Photo Elicitation project, I
focused on an understanding of social justice as a large movement. Just a few months ago, I saw
social justice as large groups of people coming together to create positive change for human
kind. I thought that social justice was represented by official organizations that had logos and
taglines, and that created campaigns and events that worked to raise awareness for various social
justice issues. I saw social justice as official signs and stickers, news stories and headlines. I do
not think that my initial understanding of social justice was wrong. In fact, I think that much of
it is still true. However, this class has helped me realize that social justice goes beyond that.
Social justice does not have to be limited to the actions of large and organized groups of people.
I have learned that social justice can be the actions and work of one single person, one ordinary
person. When we watched the Shopping While Black video, I was quickly reminded that acts
of social justice can occur in everyday settings, and that they can be practiced by anyone. When
Vijay Pendakur spoke to our class, it became very clear to me that his daily work was a mirror
for social justice. Within the last week, I have realized that anyone who has the will and
knowledge can represent social justice. An passage from Teachings for Diversity and Social

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Justice says, Social justice involves social actors who have a sense of their own agency as well
as a sense of social responsibility toward and with others, their society, and the broader world in
which we live (Adams, Bell, & Griffin, 2007, p. 1). This course has helped me understand that
members of our society who choose to be social actors are perfect models of social justice and
what it means. I have learned that I do not need an official logo or tagline to work toward social
justice. I can simply be someone who decides to embrace the social responsibility that I have
and become an agent for myself and for others. So, while I did decide to keep two of the same
photos for the second part of the Photo Elicitation project, I very intentionally included a photo
of Vijays website. Ultimately, official organizations and large groups of people who work
toward social change are great examples of what social justice is. However, what often goes
unnoticed and unrealized is that ordinary individuals who are passionate about creating a better
society can serve as even more accurate representations of what social justice really is. All it
takes is a human with a heart and a dream. This course most definitely helped me to see that.
The photos that I used to represent oppression for the first part of the Photo Elicitation
project were certainly useful, but after having gained more knowledge throughout this course, I
felt that it was necessary to take some new ones. While I did keep one of them the same, the new
photos send a message that I was not aware of a few months ago. This course has taught me two
very important things about oppression. The first is that it can be incredibly painful for those
who experience it, and that it can often feel like a trap that leads to a state of hopelessness.
Secondly, oppression is deeply, deeply rooted in our society, and it cannot and will not be fixed
overnight. The video that we watched about The Wieners Circle will never fade from my
memory. It so clearly depicts the reality of a severely embedded problem in our society. I knew
that I could not do this project without including a photo of it. The painful reality is that when

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most Chicagoans take a look at the photo that I took, they will likely have thoughts of The
Wieners Circle being a fun place to go. They may have memories of hilarious experiences
there, or maybe have heard about how great it is. What hurts is that most Chicagoans will not
look at that photo and see oppression. That is the root of the problem. Members of the
privileged groups do not see the oppression that is happening. Those who feel it, however, feel it
on a very personal level. An excerpt from On Psychological Oppression says, To be
psychologically oppressed is to be weighed down in your mind; it is to have a harsh dominion
exercised over your self-esteem (Bartky, 1979, p. 24). The women who work at The Wieners
Circle experience psychological oppression on a regular basis. While the oppressors see the
name-calling as a humorous game, the women behind the counter are internalizing the
stereotypes, and are psychologically damaged by the words. The photo of The Wieners Circle is
a perfect example of what oppression means, and the reality of the painful impact that it has on
members of our society. It exemplifies the truth that oppression is deeply rooted in our society,
and that it is incredibly painful and harmful to those who experience it.
The photo of the sculpture was taken as I was walking away from The Wieners Circle. I
was not looking for that sculpture, but it found me. I think that it is a very powerful piece of art
that accurately communicates what oppression feels like to those who are oppressed. This course
has taught me that oppression can lead to a feeling of defeat and utter hopelessness for those who
are oppressed. I imagine that this sculpture exemplifies what members of the oppressed groups
often feel like. They feel trapped, chained down, held back, and powerless, just like the person
in the sculpture. I have learned, though, that as long as the oppressed allow themselves to be
defeated, a system of oppression will be alive and well. Freire (2000) says, The oppressors,
who oppress, exploit, and rape by virtue of their power, cannot find in this power the strength to

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liberate either the oppressed or themselves. Only power that springs from the weakness of the
oppressed will be sufficiently strong to free both (p. 6). Through class readings and discussion,
I have learned that oppression is deeply rooted and painful, but that it will not disappear until the
oppressed stand up to fight it. While members of the oppressed group feel powerless and
helpless, the ability to change our society lies primarily in their hands. It is good to have
members of the privileged groups fight for them, but a battle will not be won until the victims
themselves fight back.
I have learned more about privilege than any other topic throughout this course. I have
been given opportunities to recognize my own privilege in ways that I never thought possible.
The photos that I took the first time around were relatable and made sense, but I knew that I
would need to take new photos in order to fully explain what I have learned. The most salient
thing that I have learned is that privilege often goes unnoticed for those who have it. That is why
I decided to include photos that speak to the privilege that I have, but that I often do not notice. I
can speak for myself and say that before this course, I had never recognized my privilege to use a
public restroom with no concern as to whether or not my needs would be met. It amazes me how
something that seems so simple to me can cause so much pain, suffering, anxiety, and difficulty
for others. This has taught me that I should not take my privilege for granted, and that I need to
recognize and appreciate it while simultaneously working to ensure that others can experience it
as well. The photo of the books became an idea after a class activity that taught me that
something as simple as owning or having access to books can speak to the amount of privilege
that one has. I did not have many books growing up, but now that I have spent most of my life
becoming educated, I am starting to accumulate my own collection, which speaks volumes to the
amount of privilege that I experience on a daily basis. Ultimately, I have learned that I have a lot

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of privilege and that I need to do a better job of recognizing it. I believe that privilege means
having the unequal ability and unequal access to experience ones wants and needs. I know that I
have a lot of it in my life, and I am thankful for that. The process of realizing my privilege has
helped open my eyes to possibility of creating positive change because of the power and
privilege that I hold. Jan Arminio (2013) said it well in her chapter in Readings for Diversity
and Social Justice. Knowing who I am means knowing the undesirable tendencies that I must
consciously avoid while increasing benevolent behavior (p. 126). It is my hope that I will
continue to recognize my own privilege, and help others see theirs so that we can all continue to
fight for social justice.
I thought that I had a firm understanding of social justice, oppression, and privilege when
I began this course a few months ago. While my foundational knowledge was helpful, the last
few weeks have provided countless opportunities for me to dig past the surface level ideas and
fully digest what these terms truly mean. Additionally, I have been able to see how they apply
directly to my own life. Social justice, oppression, and privilege have become personal for me. I
have been challenged to think about them in the context of my experiences. I believe that when
something becomes personal for us, we are more inclined to become passionate about it. We are
more inclined to want to enact change because we realize that the change will affect us in some
way. This course helped me realize that oppression in our world is my problem, that privilege is
something that I have a lot of, and that social justice cannot be accomplished without someone
stepping up and taking a stand. I am hopeful for the future of our society, and I am confident that
because of what I have learned, I will be a positive contributor to the pursuit of social justice for
all.

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References
Adams, M. J., Bell L. A., & Griffin P. (2007). Teaching for diversity and social justice (2nd ed.).
New York: Routledge.
Arminio, J. (2013). Waking up white: What it means to accept your legacy, for better and worse.
In M. Adams., W. J. Blumenfeld, R. Castaeda, H. W. Hackman, M. L. Peters, & X. Ziga
(Eds.), Readings for diversity and social justice (3rd ed.) (pp. 125-126). New York:
Routledge.
Bartky, S.L. (1979). On psychological oppression. In S. Bishop & M. Weinzweig (Eds.),
Philosophy and women (pp. 24-34). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co.
Freire, P. (2000). Pedagogy of the oppressed (30th anniversary ed.) New York: Continuum Books.