The issues being raised here are indeed complex.  No, the value of academic
training and an etic perspective cannot be laid aside, and yes, the emic
perspective of the groups being studied must be acknowledged as well.  The
trick obviously is finding the balance.  I do wish to take up Reger's point
about intellectual curiosity however.  I agree that race/gender/class...
don't inhibit one's curiosity (although they may act to inhibit one's
ability to excercise that curiosity) but I don't think that it can be
denied that one's personal background and experience will have a profound
affect on what one is curious ABOUT.  If this were not the case then it
wouldn't have taken so long for white male middle class academics to start
investigating class, race and gender issues.  Until people from all walks
of life have the chance to pursue the questions that interest them, the
questions that are raised will continue to represent the same narrow
perspectives.
 
 
Susan Lawrence Cheney
Visual Arts and Archaeology
Flinders University
Adelaide, South Australia
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