Degree Name

MA (Master of Arts)

Program

Communication and Storytelling Studies

Date of Award

12-2019

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Amber Kinser

Committee Members

Delanna Reed, Patrick Cronin

Abstract

This study examines experiences of racial microaggressions as related to an audience through the art of Storytelling. Integrating Performance Ethnography and Critical Race Theory, it examines how storytelling may serve to illuminate the concept of racial microaggressions. After examining the current body of work on Racism, Storytelling and Microaggression, the author moves through the stories of experiences with racial microaggression from four individuals, gathered and performed as a storytelling event, before a live audience. The communicative management methods individuals use when talking about race and racial microaggressions are explored in presentation of the audience discussion which followed the performance. The author concludes storytelling has merit as a tool for the illumination of racial microaggressions, yet the potency with which racism is ingrained in the psyche of white people in U.S. indicates significant structure must be applied to public discussions of race to support the utilization of storytelling in this manner.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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