Stigmas Associated With Black American Incarceration Through an Afrocentric Lens

196 Pages·2015·0.86 MB·English

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
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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

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