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Jeannie's Journey: from Black and White to a Vibrant Tapestry. Carolyn Denise Kennedy East Tennessee State University

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Jeannie's Journey: from Black and White to a Vibrant Tapestry. Carolyn Denise Kennedy East Tennessee State University East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 5-2009 Jeannie's Journey: From Black and White to a Vibrant Tapestry. Carolyn Denise Kennedy East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the Race and Ethnicity Commons Recommended Citation Kennedy, Carolyn Denise, "Jeannie's Journey: From Black and White to a Vibrant Tapestry." (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1835. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1835 This Dissertation - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Jeannie's Journey: From Black and White to a Vibrant Tapestry A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education by Carolyn Denise Kennedy May 2009 Dr. Louise MacKay, Chair Dr. Eric Glover Dr. Elizabeth Ralston Dr. Terry Tollefson Keywords: Civil Rights Movement, desegregation, Northeast Tennessee, life stories, leadership ABSTRACT Jeannie's Journey: From Black and White to a Vibrant Tapestry by Carolyn Denise Kennedy Our nation has made great strides since 1954's Brown v. Board of Education, 1963's I Have a Dream speech, and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, Jeannie and other minorities continue to endure in a struggle for true equality. A debate exists as to whether race issues are improved by discussion, or if they improve by ceasing these types of discussions and not even mentioning race. The purpose of this qualitative biographical narrative is to vicariously relive Jeannie’s Journey and ascertain what relevance her life story has to our historical timeline. The sole participant in this study was Jeannie Hodges. Data for this study were collected through 3 in-depth interviews using an interview protocol based upon a conversational interview process. Who we are is a direct manifestation of where we have been and the journeys we have taken. Jeannie’s journey shows us that we can look at the past and discuss history without hate, pointing fingers, or laying blame. We benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of where we as a people have been as opposed to as individual races of blacks and whites. Understanding our combined histories provides an appreciation for where we are today as well as guidance for the future. The point is to gain a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of our individual histories, like threads in a tapestry. It is crucial to our continued progress that we not cease discussions about race or about this part of our historical timeline. Can we as a nation, acknowledge our past, embrace our future, and continue the journey together? 2 Copyright 2009 by Carolyn Denise Kennedy All Rights Reserved 3 DEDICATION This study is dedicated to my family. First, I dedicate this research project to my husband, Keith Kennedy, for his undying support. He has had to step in and pick up my slack for the past several years as most of my hours at home have been dedicated to the completion of my course work and this study. I also dedicate this study to my children, Jasmine, Jaleessa, and Jordan. They have been patient and forgiving, as I have divided my time between them, my job requirements, and my educational endeavors. This dissertation is also dedicated to my mother, Bernice Foster. This study caused me to dig deep to find great determination and strength in order to complete such an undertaking. My mother instilled these traits in me; had it not been for her I would have never seen it through to completion. This dissertation is dedicated to the memory of my father, Claude Foster. I am grateful that he taught me never to give up. He also taught me to dream and always encouraged me to be optimistic. Last, but most certainly not least, I dedicate this study to Jeannie Hodges. Without her willingness to share her life story this study would not have been possible. 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First, I thank my Lord and Savior, with whom all things are possible. Second, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my dissertation committee. Dr. Louise MacKay, who served as my dissertation chair, provided invaluable guidance, support, and the occasionally necessary kick in the hindquarters. Regardless of illness or her other obligations, she always made time to listen to my stress-induced tirades, my thoughts of giving up, and my feelings of being hopelessly lost in a labyrinth. She was always there for me ready to provide the appropriate nudge to get me refocused and back on track. I am grateful to have had a mentor such as Dr. MacKay. I am also honored to be able to call her my friend. I am also grateful to Dr. Terry Tollefson, Dr. Eric Glover, and Dr. Elizabeth Ralston for their support and guidance through this dissertation project. There have been so many people who have played a role in the completion of this project. I apologize if I leave out anyone’s name. Dr. Jim “Daddy” Davis encouraged me to follow my heart by abandoning my first dissertation topic and instead write about a story that needed to be told, Jeannie’s Journey. Tammie Davis provided encouragement and many of the photos included in this study. My sister, Regina Hilliard, and Karen Reed-Wright provided infinite encouragement. My dissertation support group, Barbara Gamble and Marisol Hernandez, helped weed out sources and set deadlines and held me accountable to our pact not to leave anyone behind in our quest to complete our dissertations. Thank you to Debby Bryan and Annette True who provided the editing, formatting, and transcribing that I could not carve out the time to do on my own. Thank you to my many friends and colleagues, too many to name, who located articles, proofread for me, and provided enduring support and encouragement: it is finished. 5 CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ 2 COPYRIGHT ........................................................................................................................ 3 DEDICATION....................................................................................................................... 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..................................................................................................... 5 LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 12 Background of the Study.............................................................................................. 13 Research Questions ...................................................................................................... 17 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................... 18 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................. 19 Delimitations and Limitations of the Study ................................................................. 19 Definitions of Terms .................................................................................................... 20 Overview of the Study.................................................................................................. 20 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE..................................................................... 22 Introduction................................................................................................................. 22 Before Brown .............................................................................................................. 23 Brown ........................................................................................................................ 34 After Brown................................................................................................................. 44 6 Chapter Page Rolling Green Hills, Blue Waters, and Autumn-Colored Leaves............................... 61 Weaving Golden Threads............................................................................................ 72 A Vibrant Tapestry...................................................................................................... 73 3. RESEARCH METHODS .............................................................................................. 76 Fit of the Study to Qualitative Research Tradition...................................................... 76 Focus of the Study ...................................................................................................... 78 Participant.................................................................................................................... 78 Data Collection............................................................................................................ 79 Data Analysis Procedures............................................................................................ 80 Trustworthiness..........................................................................................................
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