MY ETHNOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE Iris Ruan May 29, 2012

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1. PX Protest, August 14, 2011 Dalian Over 10,000 people protested for the removal of a toxic chemical plant.

The government finally promised to move the factory.

I conducted participant observation during the protest and did interviews after the protest.

It was the first time that I felt the power of citizens.

After this experience, I have more hope for our civil society.

2. Occupy Men’s Bathrooms, March 8, 2012 Wuhan College students launched the movement to let more people realize that

China does not have enough bathrooms for females and that this is a form of gender inequality.

I observed both online and offline interactions and I wanted to find out: How did youth use social media to organize this movement and establish trust with new participants to let them join the movement?

I could feel college students were really

passionate and brave about promoting

gender equality.

3. Female Citizens Social Participation and Gender Equality Youth Camp April 2 – April 4, 2012 Wuhan

During the three days training, I observed : - lectures on gender issue from experts - discussions about gender discrimination among the attendees - students making plans to promote gender equality

Students gathered for the same goals: - To advocate for public awareness of gender discrimination - To take actions against gender discrimination

After the camp, students launched a movement at a shopping center to resist companies discriminating against female job seekers for being married and/or pregnant.

My exciting ethnographic experiences made me realize:

Youth are brave to participate in the civil society.

Youth take initiative to be responsible for their

country.

My exciting ethnographic experiences: Have given me a closer view of the society. I explored the world through the eyes of youth.

Iris Ruan