POINT OF VIEW:
A PHOTOVOICE PROJECT
Arts-based Research
Intervention Research and Prevention Science
Youth Health and Mental Health Research
Youth Participatory Action Research
Contributors
About
This Photovoice project, in partnership with YWCA Scarborough, brought together nine young women of colour (ages 14-18) to discuss social issues of greatest importance to the group, through photography and interactive dialogues. The group met weekly for 8 weeks and focused their photography and discussions on topics that they selected, including anti-Black racism, mental health and social media, gender equity, and body positivity. The group then curated a virtual online photo gallery with a selection of their photographs and self-written captions, highlighted here. Research from this project found significant pre-post effects on participants’ social connectedness and interest in civic action. We received permission from these young artists to share selected photos from the project, which they beautifully named “Point of View.” The technique, individuality, and unique points of view from each photo and artist are truly incredible, and we are honoured to share them with you.
Visuals
Murked Mind
Attesha
This photo is about uncertainty, fear, darkness, and the importance of highlighting mental health in youth communities of colour.
Seen through the Eyes of Loved Ones
Attesha
This photo is about the Black Lives Matter movement through my sister’s eyes. This photo represents how my sister sees herself in the movement with her face on the letters of the shirt that reads ‘Black Lives Matter’ in all capitals. This photo also brings awareness to Black individuals who have died in the hands of the police.’
OK
Dhannusha
What was extra cool about this photo was that the “O + K = (a negative number) was entirely accidental…but the symbolism is deep!! We had some discussion in our group around how young people feel so pressured to seem like ‘everything’s okay’ and that they’re ‘keeping it all together.’ And that is so stressful and difficult unto itself.
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Attesha
I didn’t give this one a title because I think it speaks for itself.
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Garima
This photo is of a girl being trapped under society. This is what we do to our girls – we constrain them from meeting their full potential.
Separated in Shades: This Insidious Side of Racism
Garima
This explores shadeism and racial divisions and distances that exist both within and across racial groups.
Mental Illnesses: Tragically Agonizing, NOT Tragically Beautiful
Garima
This picture is about romanticizing mental illnesses, which I have titled Mental Illnesses: Tragically Agonizing, NOT Tragically Beautiful. I really want to get the point across that mental health issues are not just an aesthetic.
Ugh
Muyaisha
My favourite photo was probably the one I did about gender-based violence. I call this picture ‘Ugh’ because I feel like it accurately describes how we all feel about this recurring issue. It is about the daily harassment girls and women (of all ages) face while doing the most normal of things and how not a lot is done about it. The constant harassment we face is so heavily normalized, and we are expected to deal with it on our own or take them as compliments despite the fact that it makes us feel uncomfortable.
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Muyaisha
This photo was about how acrylic nails were popularized by women of colour, and they received hate for wearing them and not given any recognition for it until white people started to wear them. The fence in the picture represented how POC were stuck in this cage where they had to prove themselves to get out and when they did get out they face twice as many obstacles as a non-POC because everyone is ready to attack them.
Publications
Point of View (POV): Engaging young women of color in Photovoice for social change amidst multiple pandemics
Begun, S., Ali, N., Kacholia, V., Cooke, K., & Sohi, N. (in progress): Point of View (POV): Engaging young women of color in Photovoice for social change amidst multiple pandemics.
COMING SOON
Improv for Well-Being and Connectedness
In partnership with the Second City Toronto and YWCA, the YWL explored improv’s potential to enhance well-being in young women of colour, youth experiencing homelessness, and in strengthening youth-adult partnerships.
Transit Access Project: TAP for Youth
Founded by UofT students, TAP for Youth works with Toronto-based shelters, a transitional youth home, and frontline service providers to document the impact of free transit for youth experiencing homelessness. The YWL’s Stephanie Begun serves as one of TAP’s faculty mentors. Project findings will be shared here and on Instagram @tapforyouth
Promoting Reproductive Justice with Under-Housed Youth
Youth experiencing homelessness encounter injustices regarding their sexual and reproductive health and rights. The YWL leads reproductive justice research with and for young people who are under-housed, frontline service workers, and healthcare providers.
