Stigmas Associated With Black American Incarceration Through an Afrocentric Lens PDF
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2015 Stigmas Associated With Black American Incarceration Through an Afrocentric Lens Wylie Jason Tidwell Walden University Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of theAfrican American Studies Commons,Ethnic Studies Commons, and thePublic Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Wylie Jason Donte’ Tidwell, III has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Kevin Fandl, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Louis Milanesi, Committee Member, Human Services Faculty Dr. Tanya Settles, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2015 Abstract Stigmas Associated With Black American Incarceration Through an Afrocentric Lens by Wylie Jason Donte’ Tidwell, III MA, Clark Atlanta University, 2010 BA, San Francisco State University, 2006 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University October 2015 Abstract Although extensive quantitative research has been conducted on Black American incarceration rates, to date, there has not been a study from an Afrocentric (Black American) perspective in the field of public policy. Using Dillard’s conceptualization of Afrocentric theory, this study added to the field of public policy by examining how the stigmas associated with mass incarceration have reduced political and economic opportunities for Black Americans born 1965 – 1984. The purpose of this ethnographic study was to provide an Afrocentric voice by which the members of the Black American community are the center of the data collection on the stigmas associated with incarceration as a product of the new Jim Crow (mass incarceration) for those born between 1965 -1984 (the hip-hop generation where the music is the center of the culture) in the United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with selected informants based on their background work, experience, and cultural orientation within the Black American community; these data were analyzed via a summative content analysis, which revealed new perspectives on the stigmas associated with incarceration. The new perspective that was gained asked for the structure of the Black American church to be reexamined due to the rise in the mega-church, an improved culturally sensitive K-12 public educational system, and the overall reconnection and strengthening of the Black American family structure. These findings suggest that social change can only occur when researchers of color are allowed to provide their perspectives on issues that affect those they represent. Hence, the social change implications for this study ask that political leaders work directly with the hip-hop generation and the Black American community as a whole to make changes in legislation through political liberalism. Stigmas Associated With Black American Incarceration Through an Afrocentric Lens by Wylie Jason Donte’ Tidwell, III MA, Clark Atlanta University, 2010 BA, San Francisco State University, 2006 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University October 2015 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to my parents who planted the seed of obtaining a doctoral degree and pride of my Black-American culture. This is also dedicated to all my brothers and sisters from urban areas like South Central Los Angeles, who was caught up and not able to find escapes to brighter paths. Acknowledgments I would first give thanks to my ancestors, who helped me through this process through both their struggles and triumphs to allow me to obtain this degree in hopes of helping future generations. My mother and father who helped keep me safe and push me to be better then the streets of South L.A. Many thanks to my wife, Kristin “K.B.” Tidwell, who has helped motivate me throughout this process. My children, Wylie IV and Kalli, for keeping a smile on my face and continuing to push me to get done through their joy and innocence. Thank you to my Jiu-jitsu professor, James Shook, for helping me learn a new way to deal with stress while improving my health. Many thanks also to my dissertation chair Kevin Fandl, and faculty mentor Dr. Louis Milanesi who has been great mentors throughout my doctoral studies. I would also like to thank the men and women of the Walden University writing center for helping answer countless questions about the writing of my document. Lastly, I would like to thank all the members of the Black community who participated in this study and for sharing their valuable input on issues that face the Black community of the 21st century. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background ..................................................................................................................2 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................6 Research Question .......................................................................................................9 Conceptual Framework ...............................................................................................9 Nature of Study ..........................................................................................................11 Definitions .................................................................................................................13 Assumptions ..............................................................................................................14 Scope and Delimitations ............................................................................................15 Limitations .................................................................................................................15 Significance ...............................................................................................................16 Summary ....................................................................................................................16 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................18 Introduction ...............................................................................................................18 Literature Search Strategy .........................................................................................18 Conceptual Framework .............................................................................................19 Definition of Afrocentric Theory and Key Theorists ................................................20 Past Research Using Afrocentric Theory ..................................................................23 i Historical Background ...............................................................................................30 Current State of Incarcerations, Stigmas, and the Black American Community ......36 Summary and Conclusions ........................................................................................48 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................49 Research Design and Rationale .................................................................................49 Role of the Researcher ...............................................................................................53 Methodology ..............................................................................................................56 Participant selection ...................................................................................................57 Instrumentation ..........................................................................................................59 Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection ..............................63 Procedures for Pilot Study .........................................................................................66 Data Analysis Plan ....................................................................................................68 Issues of Trustworthiness ..........................................................................................70 Summary ....................................................................................................................74 Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................75 Pilot Study Results ....................................................................................................75 Participants ................................................................................................................76 Data Collection ..........................................................................................................80 Data Organization ......................................................................................................82 Data Analysis .............................................................................................................84 Breakdown of Critical Ethnography Interview Questions ................................85 Evidence of Quality .................................................................................................118 ii Triangulation Analysis ....................................................................................119 Primary Research Question and Findings ...............................................................120 Summary ..................................................................................................................122 Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations ..........................................124 Interpretation of the Findings ..................................................................................124 Limitations of the Study ..........................................................................................131 Recommendation for Action ...................................................................................131 Recommendations for Further Study .......................................................................139 Implications .............................................................................................................139 Social Change Implications.............................................................................140 Conclusions .............................................................................................................142 References ........................................................................................................................147 Appendix A: Critical Ethnography Interview Questions .................................................171 Background questions .............................................................................................171 Descriptive Tour Questions .....................................................................................171 Structural Questions ................................................................................................172 Contrast Questions ...................................................................................................172 Appendix B: Consent Forms ............................................................................................174 Paper (in person) Based Research ...........................................................................174 Online / Distance Based Research ...........................................................................179 Appendix C: Participent Resource Guide ........................................................................184 Appendix D: Participant Check Electronic Form ............................................................185 iii
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