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Responsible Listening: Developing a Code of Ethics for Oral History after Disaster
Abstract:
Based upon our experiences conducting oral history interviews in the aftermaths of hurricanes, during an earthquake swarm, and under COVID-19, members of the Oral History Lab at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (OHL) have developed a code of ethics for working in post-disaster spaces that accommodates the needs of communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Recognizing that disasters are unfolding all around us in the Anthropocene Era, the OHL situates our code of ethics as a living document that evolves as new situations arise. We further acknowledge that our framework emerges from the contested space of Puerto Rico and is therefore shaped to suit the cultural, political, and economic needs of people in the archipelago. In light of these points, we suggest that a code of ethics cannot be a singular statement that functions successfully for all communities and crises, but, rather, a document such as this can be used as a starting point for other communities who likewise wish to have a foundation from which to build equitable relationships that work to ensure dignity for all participants, especially those members of impacted communities who are at their most vulnerable after disaster. Our poster presentation first provides a thorough grounding in the OHL code of ethics and the issues behind each point, but then directs viewers to a Google Doc that is accessible through our website. This digital space functions as an open discussion about the needs and rights of communities in post-disaster spaces who are often approached by external researchers to participate in their projects. We will distribute postcards with QRC codes so that conference attendees can join the conversation about ethical practice in post-disaster spaces, especially when working with marginalized communities that are confronting environmental racism and colonial practices in their disaster responses.