Episode 68: Jackie Sofia (Documentary Photography)

In this archive episode Jackie Sofia, a reporter, producer, and educator in documentary media, shared her journey into participatory media and its profound impact on refugee communities in the Middle East and North America.

The Journey into Documentary Media

Jackie Sofia’s path to documentary photography was unconventional. With a background in Middle Eastern studies from Johns Hopkins University, her curiosity about the region led her to Jordan on a Fulbright Fellowship in 2011. Initially focused on researching the long-term effects of domestic violence on women in Amman, she faced challenges in accessing the necessary information. This led her to volunteer as a yoga instructor in Gaza Camp, a refugee camp in Jordan, where she connected deeply with the community.

The camp, home to descendants of Palestinian refugees from the 1967 war, became a pivotal part of Jackie’s Fulbright experience. Her involvement in social enterprises and consulting work for nonprofits highlighted the stereotypes and challenges faced by the Palestinian community in Jordan. Determined to change the narrative, Jackie turned to media as a tool to tell the stories of these resilient individuals.

Empowering Through Participatory Media

The Narrative Projects emerged as a platform to provide refugees with the tools to document their own stories. Jackie, alongside several women from the camp, initiated a photo workshop to teach photography as a means of self-expression and storytelling. This participatory approach empowers the photographers and offers a more authentic representation of refugee communities.

One poignant example from the workshop is the story of Amna, a participant who documented her mother’s struggle with accessibility after losing a leg to deep vein thrombosis. Through photography, Amna found a therapeutic outlet to process her experiences and share her mother’s story. This initiative underscores the transformative power of participatory media, allowing individuals to reclaim their narratives and challenge prevailing stereotypes.

Challenges and Triumphs in Baltimore

Jackie’s work extends beyond the Middle East to Baltimore, where she collaborates with resettled refugee communities. The challenges faced by refugees in Baltimore, such as navigating public transportation and repaying resettlement costs, highlight the need for robust support systems. Despite these obstacles, organizations like the Mira Kitchen Collective and the Refugee Youth Project provide vital resources and opportunities for refugees to thrive.

In Baltimore, Jackie works closely with Iman El-Shehab, a Syrian refugee resettled in 2016. Iman’s journey, marked by resilience and determination, exemplifies the struggles and triumphs of refugees seeking a new beginning. Through participatory media, Jackie and Iman collaborate to share her story, offering a deeper understanding of the refugee experience.

The Narrative Projects and similar initiatives demonstrate the profound impact of participatory media in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. By empowering refugees to tell their own stories, these projects challenge stereotypes and foster a more nuanced understanding of global issues. As Jackie Sofia’s work illustrates, storytelling is a powerful tool for change, bridging cultural divides and fostering empathy. In a world where media narratives often dominate, the stories of individuals like Amna and Iman remind us of the resilience and strength within refugee communities, urging us to listen, learn, and support their journeys.

This is an archive episode with hosts Joe Giordano and Elena Volkova.

#photojournalism #refugees #refugeeexperiences #storytelling

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