'Show trial' or 'truth and reconciliation'? A response (Culture, representation)

This essay reflects on the growing existence of "collaborative ethnography" as a research goal and method. "Show Trial" and "Truth and Reconciliation" serve as metaphors for understanding the differences that Pat Mullen and J esse Truvillion bring to their discussions of a joint project. As Cadaval e xamines entwined issues of reflexivity and "native" perspectiveand ultimate ly the politics of scholarship that concern many who struggle to find equit able modes of research and representationshe also reflects on a legacy of s ocially engaged scholars, such as Don Americo Paredes and his dialogic conc eptualization of the ethnographic encounter. Cadaval argues that this conce ptualization can and should be reflected in both field methodology and publ ic presentations.