This contribution is based on the analysis of the socio-cultural responses to the earthquake that hit the area north of the Po Valley, in Emilia (Italy) on the 20 and 29 of May, 2012. The exact area of research is located in the cities of Mirandola, Cavezzo, Concordia sul Secchia and San Possidonio, all of them situated in the Modena district. The subject of the survey is Sisma.12, a committee founded by some earthquake victims, “not-partisan and ideologically cross” claiming for specific rights. Also offering solutions to such a disaster, starting from the individual experience of its members, though different but participated, as alternative to the choices made by the institutions. The earthquake in Emilia added to a pre-existing crisis, has exacerbated the discontent, highlighting shortcomings and negligence of the State in the management of not only the post-disaster, but the general economic crisis. However, it has made possible the awakening of the socio-political consciousness of citizens involved and the need of community of the subjects. Sisma.12 was founded to be a tool to make all this possible. Starting from this specific ethnographic case, the role of the anthropologist and his position whitin the dynamic studied is investigated. A series of questions will hence be posed and will primarily stem from the research field with particular reference to the role of the researcher and his positioning within the analysed context, specifically attempting to give n answer to the following: what is the role of the researcher in this scenario and what shape does his participation take? To whom, or to what end, can the ethnographic representation f these realities be useful? Can the dilemma of the researcher’s positioning, extensively discussed in anthropology, take on a different perspective within the mentioned arenas? Can engaged anthropology ethnographically represent these forms of humanity?

Positioning as a method. The earthquake in Emilia Romagna and the forms of “exilience”

Silvia Pitzalis
2015

Abstract

This contribution is based on the analysis of the socio-cultural responses to the earthquake that hit the area north of the Po Valley, in Emilia (Italy) on the 20 and 29 of May, 2012. The exact area of research is located in the cities of Mirandola, Cavezzo, Concordia sul Secchia and San Possidonio, all of them situated in the Modena district. The subject of the survey is Sisma.12, a committee founded by some earthquake victims, “not-partisan and ideologically cross” claiming for specific rights. Also offering solutions to such a disaster, starting from the individual experience of its members, though different but participated, as alternative to the choices made by the institutions. The earthquake in Emilia added to a pre-existing crisis, has exacerbated the discontent, highlighting shortcomings and negligence of the State in the management of not only the post-disaster, but the general economic crisis. However, it has made possible the awakening of the socio-political consciousness of citizens involved and the need of community of the subjects. Sisma.12 was founded to be a tool to make all this possible. Starting from this specific ethnographic case, the role of the anthropologist and his position whitin the dynamic studied is investigated. A series of questions will hence be posed and will primarily stem from the research field with particular reference to the role of the researcher and his positioning within the analysed context, specifically attempting to give n answer to the following: what is the role of the researcher in this scenario and what shape does his participation take? To whom, or to what end, can the ethnographic representation f these realities be useful? Can the dilemma of the researcher’s positioning, extensively discussed in anthropology, take on a different perspective within the mentioned arenas? Can engaged anthropology ethnographically represent these forms of humanity?
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11576/2676622
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