'Detroit Through Our Eyes' project explores social inequality through student stories
A new multimedia project at Wayne State University, "Detroit Through Our Eyes" (DTOE), offers an in-depth exploration of social inequality in Detroit through student-produced photo stories, videos, poems and writings.
The data repository project began when Dr. Sarah Swider received support from the College of Arts and Sciences to redesign her social inequalities class course, integrating sociological readings and lectures with students’ personal experiences. The idea behind the redesign is that by seeing, hearing and sharing experiences of social inequality, we gain a deeper understanding of the world through others’ perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding—essential for addressing and overcoming social inequalities in our society.
Students collaborated on the website’s name, selected their writings and projects for inclusion and had the option to post them with their names, pen names or anonymously. The website was developed with the assistance of WSU Sr. Digital Strategist Mel Mills and sociology graduate student Amber Anderson.
Before promoting the site, the team sought student feedback. One participant described the experience as transformative, stating, “Thank you for making our writings, voices and stories known. I can’t wait to share this with my family and friends.”
DTOE will be updated annually as the course continues. Organizers hope the platform serves as a resource for researchers, educators and the public, offering insight into inequality, oppression, power and resilience through students’ unique lived experiences.