ACTIVIST PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH AMONG THE MAYA OF GUATEMALA - CONSTRUCTING MEANINGS FROM SITUATED KNOWLEDGE

In this article, I analyze two separate experiences with the Maya in r ural communities within Guatemala and discuss strengths and limitation s of Participatory Action Research (PAR) within this context. These ex periences are the context in and from which I explore my ''situated ot herness'' within a praxis of solidarity and question dominant theoreti cal models for conceptualizing and responding to the effects of war on children. Further I explore, with my Maya colleagues, alternative met hodologies (including PAR)for ''standing under'' these realities from this position of ''other.'' I conclude the essay with a brief discussi on of selected criteria that contribute to evaluating participatory, s trategies in PAR and a summary of current efforts to extend this praxi s from situations of ongoing violence in Guatemala to more local sites , e.g. Boston, Massachusetts.