Sharing the burden, living the cost: Ethical dilemmas in community engagement

Scholars often engage in community activities which allow rich opportunities to understand the intersection of theories and realities. The knowledge and skills of scholars based in the academe provide community organizations with an important resource for insights and even leadership. Scholars who simultaneously hold positions in educational institutions extend this service gratis. Their commitment to become involved in certain organizations is greatly commendable amidst pressing academic obligations. But this engagement is wrought with ethical issues. This paper highlights the ethical dilemmas of a non-white scholar in pursuing advocacy work in a predominantly ‘white’ community; the contested notions of “principle” and “politics of survival” of community organizations dependent on government funding; and the challenge of forging academic alliances for activism and more engaged citizenry. It poses the question: to what extent do immigrant scholars become activist in host communities?