Strategies for Conducting Research on Violent Topics

By Dora Guo ‘23 and Emme Magliato ‘23

The history and legacies of eugenics are inundated with racist, ableist, and violent imagery and language. It can be overwhelming and even re-traumatizing to spend hours submerged in the inner thoughts and musings of eugenicists. At one point, it can even be desensitizing.

This work is emotionally and physically demanding. While all of us have unique needs and triggers, we wanted to share some strategies that have helped members of our Collective persevere in this work. You are not alone and your work matters to eugenics resistance.

Reflections from Student Researchers

“When you’re confronting violent histories, especially ones whose legacies continue into the present and will continue into the future, it can feel demoralizing at times and the reproduced violence can be deeply (re)traumatizing. In response, I think that we have to give ourselves the grace to step back from our work and take time for ourselves to process and reckon with these histories before continuing our work.

And when we do decide to continue our work, on our own terms, I think we should ground ourselves in not just the importance of our work, but in the realization that we are not alone in this search for truth and justice for the past, present, and future; that we are never without community in this hard work; that we work alongside past and present people who have imagined more for ourselves and who have and continue to believe in humanity”

— Tenzin Dhondup, Yale College ‘26

“When working with archival material that gives such clear voice to bias and oppression, it’s helpful to remember that your reaction to these texts affects how they are remembered and carried forward. Whether by ranting to a friend or writing out your anger and confusion, your voice of resistance to these texts speaks just as clearly as the original intended message. In re-illuminating these archival voices through your own critical analysis, you join voices of resistance from the past and present that work towards shaping our present and future into a much different, much more just world.”

— Gemma Yoo, Yale College ‘23

Suggestions

    • Doing this work can feel isolating. Try to find or build a space where you can research and learn together. Consider an affinity space if your school or community has one.

    • Talk to friends or loved ones about what you’re finding difficult to process or findings that are really sticking with you.

    • If you feel you’re getting eaten up in the archives and losing a sense of the larger goal or objective, take the time to re-center and ground yourself in the shared knowledge that you are a part of producing.

    • Your work may just be one tiny piece of the pie, but contributes to our collective understanding of eugenics and its afterlives.

    • Remembering that eugenics was never a universally accepted ideology helps ground us in resistance and solidarity.

    • Find local or national organizations to join or follow to stay grounded in the tangible, life-changing anti-eugenic liberation movements happening right now

    • Remember that you are an example of anti-eugenic resistance. How you analyze and narrate this history on your own terms gives voice to resistance.

    • Check-in with yourself regularly to assess your needs.

      • Are you making time for the things that bring you joy?

      • Are you feeling nourished?

    • Take hours/days/weeks off when you need to. Protect your rest!

    • Step away from the paper, and close the 48 tabs you have open. Needing space from this work is healthy.