Comments on: Who gets to tell rape stories from Haiti?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:26:10 +0000

Thoughtful, insightful and obviously founded in experience. Thank you for contributing your voice to this extremely important discussion.

By: Meg

Meg — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 08:42:54 +0000

Clear analysis with women's and survivors' voices centered throughout. As always, thanks for your thoughtful and challenging pieces.

By: Jina Moore

Jina Moore — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:12:54 +0000

Erin, I love the way you've put that -- "consent can be fluid." That's exactly right. I've seen some situations where friends "lose" consent into a project, freak out, and then freak the source out, and it's because everyone is thinking the yes/no is static. Thanks for that!

By: Erin Siegal

Erin Siegal — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 07:22:58 +0000

Jina, thank you so much for this thoughtful, helpful post. I've been following this situation on Twitter and the blogosphere, and I believe you've offered the best analysis thus far. As a young writer with a first book (which deals w/quite a bit of trauma in Guatemala where I, too, usually worked with a fixer) coming out, I've been learning over the past two years how important it is to make sure characters and sources understand what, exactly, they're doing when they talk to me, and what exactly I'm doing. Consent can be fluid, and obviously can change over time, as relationships or circumstances evolve. If a source changes their mind about consent, it's crucial that we respect that choice immediately, not only for ourselves but for the greater credibility and integrity of our profession. I think it's also important for us as journalists and story "guardians"/creators to partake in a fact-checking/soul-searching of sorts brainstorming the possible consequences-- however seemingly outlandish-- that could occur as a result of a survivor's story being made public, as in, thoughtful consideration of unlikely worst case scenarios. Thank you for bringing the Mac/Haiti meme back around to a constructive place of learning & discussion!

By: Elizabeth Allen

Elizabeth Allen — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 06:57:24 +0000

This is a great post, Jina. Last year, I saw some fellow Americans whip out video cameras to record the discussions of LRA abductees (all young women in their twenties who had been kidnapped as teenagers). The 'consent' they got was from a young Ugandan man who runs his own non-profit in the area -- not from the women themselves. I can't help but think that there's an ugly nexus of race, class, and geography shaping these kinds of encounters. It's frightening how pervasive they are.

By: Jina Moore

Jina Moore — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 03:45:40 +0000

Thanks for reading and commenting, Brendan. I hope you'll check out the other post, for a longer discussion on practice issues, and share it with anyone you think might benefit from engaging these ideas. In terms of demystifying stigma, I think Dart is really doing a great job at that, and I hope other will visit their site and take up their resources.

By: Brendan Rigby

Brendan Rigby — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 03:37:43 +0000

I really appreciate the shift you are encouraging, from debate to discussion. In particular, on the ethical principles and application of consent. Instructive. Also, coming back around at the end of your post to PTSD is important, and acknowledging vicarious trauma is a significant step towards demystifying and ending stigma around mental health issues. Thanks Jina!

By: Jina Moore

Jina Moore — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 02:34:22 +0000

I so appreciate that feedback. Thank you!

By: morealtitude

morealtitude — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:12:54 +0000

I always enjoy reading your analysis Jina. You've got a great writing style, your analysis is always spot-on (and really puts people at the heart of what you're saying), and what's more your pieces are really balanced- you manage to stay away from hype and drama in subjects that are already dramatic enough. Keep it up!