Methods
My methodology is shaped by the following research questions:
- "What are the indicators that let someone know they entered Highlandtown?”
- "What does the space in the neighborhood of Highlandtown mean for the Latine community?”
As I answer these questions through my research study I plan to:
- Document what are the physical signs that lets someone, who is not familiar with the area, know they entered Highlandtown. I will compare the physical signs for example, a street sign stating Highlandtown Avenue with the more subtle signs for example sounds, smells, and movement specific to the area.
- Document what are the emotions I feel when I enter Highlandtown.
- Analyze how I interact with the physical and communal space of Highlandtown.
Fieldsite
I will conduct my research study in Highlandtown. Highlandtown is defined by the cross streets Grundy Street & Eastern Ave, Fleet Street & Eastern Ave, E Baltimore Street & S Lindwood Avenue, and E Baltimore & N Haven Street. The borders of Highlandtown is beside Patterson Park which I will also include in the research study. However since my research study is based on knowing when someone enters Highlandtown, these street signs will be used as a reference of gauging where Highlandtown is located. Instead of staying within these physical borders that superficially define Highlandtown I will extend what is considered Highlandtown based on my observations and interactions.
Communities/Positionality
I’ve conducted previous research in Highlandtown so I am familiar with the area. However, my familiarity is limited based on the locations of the events I attended for my past research. In this research study I plan to extend past the locations I am already familiar with while also revising the past locations. My experience with Highlandtown is my interactions with the Latine community so I predominantly consider Highlandtown a Latine community. This is one misconception I always reflect on because Highlandtown is historically a neighborhood of immigrants. The neighborhood isn’t entirely composed of Latines. My research study will focus on what Highlandtown means for the Latine community but I will not exclude other communities who call Highlandtown their home. I will document the diversity in Highlandtown during my research study.
