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- Creator:
- Kim, Jihyung
- Description:
- This project attempts to explore and depict a deeper understanding of the contemporary social justice landscape from my personal autoethnographical experiences as an activist in the ostensibly dualistic worlds of 501(c)(3) nonprofit immigrant rights organization and a radical social change movement based in Occupy Los Angeles. This paper will compare and contrast the trajectories, goals, boundaries and roles implanted within these spaces, as I attempt to forge a candid construction of the past, present and future landscape of the social justice movement in this country. The autoethnographical narratives are complemented by social movement theories and literature review of the historical writings and experiences of various activists. Through combining the methodology of autoethnography and a theoretically oriented literature review on the non-profit industrial complex, I wish to illuminate on the existing dilemmas faced by social justice activists while inculcating a sense of hope for the future prospects of social justice movements.
- Resource Type:
- Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Northridge
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Mills, Katie Marie
- Description:
- Social movements emerge to create change, yet even within movements there exists tension surrounding any single vision of social change. Movement participants often choose between two fundamentally different approaches: fighting for change by reforming existing institutions or transforming institutions and society to affect change. While not always explicitly stated, this question of reforming versus transforming frames the vision, goals, objectives and tactics of social movements worldwide. This choice of approach is particularly salient in the gender and sexuality movements. The differences between reformative and transformative framing of these movements are clear, as victories range from achieving same-sex marriage rights through successful litigation to culturally challenging binary conceptualizations of gender and sexuality. Throughout history technology has affected social movement tactics. The Internet has enabled activists to participate in social movements in unprecedented ways. This study explores the relationship between a gender and sexuality movement organization’s master frames and the types of online activism they deploy. In this study I examined gender and sexuality movement websites. Using content analysis, I coded sites on their use of transformative or reformative master frames, particularly exploring community identification, injustice framing, scope of issues addressed, and organizational type. I then further analyzed sites identifying e-mobilizations (brochureware and online facilitation of offline actions) and e-tactics, or online protest actions. I found that both transformative and reformative movements use e-mobilizations very frequently, while reformative movements were more likely to use online protest actions such as petitions, boycotts, and email or letter writing campaigns.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Whitley, Jason M.
- Description:
- This thesis is a qualitative examination of the events of the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul Minnesota. Specifically, I examine the detainment, harassment, and arrest of ten independent journalists before and during street protests surrounding this convention. Independent media represents an ideological counter hegemonic production and distribution of content that closely aligns with social movements. The journalists’ stories serve to illustrate how independent journalists organize themselves within the contentious environment of large protests as well as describe the phenomenon of political repression in the form of pre- emptive detainment, mass arrest, and surveillance. Also discussed are a variety of concepts closely related to the two main themes including the role of technology and the public sphere. With this research I connect literature on social movement repression with literature and ideas about independent media and contentious politics. This analysis describes how social movements and independent media have become altered organizationally by the political repression and strategic incapacitation of their members.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Carroll, Allyson L.
- Description:
- Organic agriculture is a concept that has evolved with its history, representing a farming method, social movement, and growing industry. Some analysts have critiqued organic agriculture as losing its grassroots soul and representing the conventional model of agriculture rather than an alternative to it. In order to ascertain current perceptions of organic agriculture from growers themselves, I interviewed 17 organic farmers in Humboldt County, California. These in-depth interviews focused on farmers’ rationale for certifying organic, values behind their farming style, associations with social movements, views of the federal regulations, and personal and regional economics. I interviewed both organic dairy and row crop farmers in order to compare groups and gain a spectrum of viewpoints. This study represents a place-based snapshot, particular to Humboldt County, California, a relatively rural and isolated area in need of viable economic development options. For the interviewed dairy farmers, organic agriculture represented a combination of an economic opportunity to maintain their multi-generational family farms combined with a farming method that reflected their existing techniques. The row crop growers articulated a range of reasons for certifying organic including a commitment to values, access to markets, and product credibility. Both populations of farmers expressed strong values of land and animal stewardship underlying their farming styles. Many of the row crop growers strongly associated with the organic social movement and spoke of ways to further refine articulations of sustainable agriculture that reach beyond organic. The dairy farmers generally did not associate with the social movement while still exemplifying values and methods that capture some of the core ideals of the movement. Both types of farming fit into the region’s economic development strategy. The organic dairy industry captures a strong export-based opportunity, while many row crop growers placed emphasis on the importance of their local markets and reciprocal relationships with the community. Organic agriculture in Humboldt County helps maintain open spaces, a rural quality of life, and a cultural identity of long-existing dairy farms combined with newer row crop farms on the cusp of the sustainable agriculture movement.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Social Science
- Creator:
- Harris, Megan
- Description:
- Myths of meritocracy and upward mobility, not to mention myths that “blame the victim” (among many others), help maintain the American capitalist economic system and obscure the existence of the tremendous structural barriers that work to prevent the majority of working class and poor families from successfully escaping poverty. Indeed, the American capitalist economic system is only able to operate given the structural barriers caused by interlocking systems of power, privilege and oppression including, but not limited to, classism, racism, patriarchy, heterosexism, ageism, ableism and more, along with the myriad myths, ideologies, and forms of violence that both emanate from and sustain them. Despite the operation and strength of these systems and ideologies, which seem to make the eradication of homelessness and poverty impossible, innumerable economic justice and human rights organizations aim to do just that, and in the long run, bring about a more just world for all. One such organization is the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC), which is the largest multiracial, cross-generational, national movement led by poor people themselves in the United States. PPEHRC works to abolish the structural violence of poverty and homelessness using a diverse array of strategies aimed for instance, at abolishing poverty and other interrelated forms of structural violence as well as the interconnected myths, ideologies, and systems of power, privilege and oppression that create and sustain them. At the same time, PPEHRC works to guarantee that everyone’s basic human rights are observed and respected within the policy and practice of the U.S. State. These fundamental human rights, as enshrined in International Laws such as the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, include, but are not limited to, ease of access to adequate health care, decent housing, living wage jobs, and quality primary, secondary, and higher education. In this thesis, I use the lens of Intersectional Feminism, engage in Participatory Action Research and conduct in-depth interviews to illuminate and critically examine the work of PPEHRC. I pay particular attention to the analysis of poverty developed by members of PPEHRC themselves, and both examine and personally engage in several of the strategies of activism developed and utilized by members of PPEHRC. Furthermore, I closely examine how poverty expresses itself differently in rural, urban, and suburban areas, the significance and possible causes of these differences, as well as they particular ways in which PPEHRC responds to poverty in all three contexts.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Environment and Community
- Creator:
- Leslie, Kerry E.
- Description:
- The modern environmental movement in the United States is at a crossroads; following its current path, represented by mainstream national environmental organizations that struggle to gain the support of racial and ethnic minorities, it may lose the momentum and influence it has gained in the past decades. A second path is one that relies on the collaborative efforts of national and local organizations, as well as individual community members. These organizations must gain the support and involvement of racial and ethnic minorities to address the issues of built and natural environmental and social well-being that affect every member of the diverse U.S. population. As a first step towards this realization, the current research sought, through personal interviews, to construct a more thorough understanding of Latino relationships with “environment,” as well as with mainstream and local environmental organizations in the Los Angeles area. Through thematic analysis of these interviews, as well as non-participant observation, the research developed a theory of Latino environmental consciousness and action. This theory aided in the creation of a final report that includes suggestions regarding appropriate ways to explore and initiate conversations with local Latino groups or individuals, or locally operating mainstream organizations, in order to pursue mutually beneficial cooperation. The report was given to all organizations with which interview participants were involved, with the goal that meaningful collaboration between organizations could begin to take shape immediately. This project also serves as a catalyst for further research that is needed to shift the environmental movement in a more representative, diverse, and successfully influential direction.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Environment and Community
- Creator:
- Owen, Anna C.
- Description:
- Hemp is an ancient crop that has supported civilizations for millennia. Industrial hemp refers to the non-psychotropic varieties of Cannabis sativa L. This crop is used in numerous goods and industrial applications, such as nutritional food and oil, building materials, and body care products. In Canada, hemp is bred to have no psychotropic value. Due to years of Cannabis stigma, this crop has been perceived as a controversial issue. Canada’s decision to re-legalize hemp cultivation was pivotal for legitimizing and developing hemp as a viable agricultural crop in North America. Organizations in Manitoba pioneered a unique industry based initially on hemp seed. Over the years, stakeholders met challenges through industry collaboration and adaptive strategies. Stakeholder organization such as hemp-based cooperatives and trade alliances are examples of strategies. More than business entrepreneurship was needed to advance this industry. Social movement theory and framing explain the development of the hemp industry in Manitoba. This explores stakeholder framing, resources, political opportunities, cognitive processes and legitimacy. Movement leadership and social entrepreneurship are also key concepts. Case study research was utilized in the capital city, Winnipeg, and rural communities. This work positioned Manitoba as a “case” taken from the North American hemp industry and movement. Methods included formal and informal interviews, document analysis, artifacts and participant observation. Interviews were conducted with representatives from cooperatives, trade alliances and hemp businesses in the food, oil and fibre sectors. Interviews were also held with provincial, Federal and municipal government officials. Stories from Manitoba illuminate the evolution of this growing industry. Stakeholder input explores the work behind reincorporating and legitimizing this crop into farmlands, including social and political arenas. Communities abroad can learn from Manitoba’s strategies that advanced a hemp movement and industry. This case study provides a tangible example of how a regulated, hemp industry can succeed in North America. Key Words: industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa L., Manitoba, hemp seed, legitimacy, Cannabis stigma, framing, strategy, hemp movement, industry collaboration, case study, social entrepreneurship, social movement theory: resources, political opportunity, cognitive processes, movement leadership
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Environment and Community
- Creator:
- Whatcott, Jessica A.
- Description:
- Anti-violence movements in the United States have demanded that the state, institutions, and communities take steps to respond seriously to domestic violence and sexual assault. In the past 35 years, state and federal laws have been passed mandating criminal justice departments, medical practitioners, and social service agencies to respond to domestic violence and sexual assault in particular ways. These mandates have been accompanied by the availability of state and philanthropic funding for training, policy development, and programming for legally mandated organizations and agencies that voluntarily provide services to domestic violence and sexual assault (DVSA) victims and survivors. Legally mandated responses and the availability of state and philanthropic funding have changed anti-violence movements, and the changes have been a cause for concern in radical feminist narratives. In addition, intersectional feminist narratives have been critical of mainstream anti-violence movements for failing to account for the ways that violence that occurs in the home or “private” spaces intersects with violence at the community, institutional, national and transnational levels that are also damaging to women’s health and well-being. I examine how anti-violence efforts in a rural county in northern California compare to critical narratives about anti-violence movements. Using an ethnographic approach, I interviewed professionals in the DVSA field, participated in public events and coordinating meetings, and analyzed documents/texts produced by this regional movement. By examining the institutions in Humboldt County that respond to domestic violence and sexual assault and by exploring the local discursive terrain, I illuminate the barriers to developing a broad anti-violence movement with an intersectional feminist analysis that is capable of shifting structural power. I also locate many instances when DVSA workers in this region resist being defined by any one DVSA narrative. This research examines how institutionalization and state funding provide some opportunities for social change, but ultimately constrain individuals and organizations from building and sustaining an anti-violence movement that can expose and eradicate the multiple forms of violence that target socially and economically marginalized people. I argue that state actors and institutions have a stake in focusing resources on interpersonal violence and away from macro-level systems of inequality, oppression and exploitation. This research contributes to a small but powerful body of literature that urges the anti-violence movement to be equally critical of conventionally defined domestic and sexualized violence and state and institutional forms of violence.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Environment and Community
- Creator:
- Buckley, Jayme K.
- Description:
- Community supported agriculture, a form of food production in which the producer and consumer share in the risk and benefit of farming, is a social movement promoting an alternative to industrial agriculture. The origins of community supported agriculture are multifarious. The concept can be traced to several locations in the 1960’s including parts of Europe, Chile and Japan (Earles 2007; Henderson and Van En 1999). In the United States in the 1980’s, community supported agriculture (CSA) became the nomenclature for this community-based form of farming (Earles 2007). These agricultural developments shared a common theme: groups of people wanting a closer connection to the production of their food and producers wanting to build a connection with their consumers, working collectively to make it happen. CSA, while tailored to the demands of each location and community in which it is situated, is at the core a method for creating the connections between food, land, and community. My inquiry into this movement’s manifestation in Humboldt County led me to Redwood Roots Farm in Bayside, California. Here, my goal was to witness the creation and diffusion of CSA movement culture and information, known as knowledge-practices (Casas-Cortes 2000). The knowledge-practices underlying the local CSA movement, I discovered, had theoretical roots in the Marxist concept of class struggle as well as contemporary globalization theory. This experience led to the development of my project for the practicing track of the Sociology Master’s Program: a two-part curriculum for Redwood Roots Farm. The goal of this project is to empower community members to make socially and environmentally responsible decisions to influence a sustainable future for Humboldt County. The first curriculum, entitled “A History of Agriculture in Humboldt County” explores the development of local agricultural practices and organizations, focusing on the contemporary social forces that are shaping the agriculture of Humboldt. The next curriculum, “Everything You Want to Know About Land Trusts” describes land trusts as a tool for land preservation, highlighting local land trusts and their importance to the preservation of land for agricultural use and the CSA movement. In addition to facilitating the curriculum in workshops for the 2008 Community Workshop Series, I have made my work available for community access in the Redwood Roots Library.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Sociology
- Creator:
- Mabry, Dustin
- Description:
- This thesis explores a burgeoning social movement aimed at shaping the processes of food production and distribution, the Alternative Agrifood Movement. As a collection of initiatives, this movement seeks to mitigate environmental and social injustices perpetuated by the conventional agrifood system. An investigation of the movement is contextualized in social theory surrounding New Social Movements and Whiteness. Research for this thesis focused on Alternative Agrifood Movement as experienced in the Humboldt Bay Region in Northern California. This research revealed tension between the two most prominent concepts of the alternative agrifood movement, sustainable agriculture and food security. In response to this tension, I promote the concept of community food security as a mediator. I illustrate how the community food security concept partners efforts of sustainable agriculture and food security. I stress that combining sustainable agriculture and food security work is fundamental for the success of the alternative agrifood movement. I conclude by stressing the importance of approaching food issues from a human rights framework while highlighting the role of race and whiteness throughout alternative agrifood efforts.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Sociology