Loyola University Chicago Loyola eCommons Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 2012 The Intersections of Social Activism, Collective Identity, and Artistic Expression in Documentary Filmmaking John Abraham Stover Iii Loyola University Chicago Follow this and additional works at: https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss Part of the Sociology Commons Recommended Citation Stover Iii, John Abraham, "The Intersections of Social Activism, Collective Identity, and Artistic Expression in Documentary Filmmaking" (2012). Dissertations. 396. https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/396 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Loyola eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Loyola eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. Copyright © 2012 John Abraham Stover Iii LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO THE INTERSECTIONS OF SOCIAL ACTIVISM, COLLECTIVE IDENTITY, AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION IN DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM IN SOCIOLOGY BY JOHN ABRAHAM STOVER III CHICAGO, IL DECEMBER 2012 Copyright by John A. Stover III, 2012 All rights reserved. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As I reflect back upon the road of scholarship I have just traveled, I could not have ever imagined the kind of life-changing experiences and challenges that met me along the way. On that road of scholarship I have been surrounded and accompanied by many bright, engaged, and compassionate colleagues, friends, and family members to whom I owe my deepest, most sincere gratitude. My journey in higher education began many years ago when Dr. Kandi Stinson of Xavier University let me ponder and debate all kinds of questions about Marxism in my first, undergraduate theory course (much to the chagrin of my lesser-interested peers, I might add). Dr. Stinson, your encouragement and intellect remain a deep part of my sociological imagination. I spent a good deal of time crossing Xavier’s campus when I worked for the late Dr. Katherine Keough, then chair of Xavier’s Education Department and first woman president of St. John Fisher College. Katherine taught me much about politics, about life, and about myself. She was, and remains, a great inspiration to me. I miss you, Katherine. Dr. Miriam Martinez also provided early mentorship and ongoing direction throughout my twenties and thirties as I struggled to find my calling in life. She wisely directed me to seriously consider how my graduate-level studies would contribute to the discipline as a whole. Thank you again, Miriam, for your wise guidance and warm friendship. iii My graduate career at Loyola University Chicago was a success because of the incredible scholarship and direction of folks like Dr. Fred Kniss (who is now Provost at Eastern Mennonite University), Dr. Judi Wittner, and Dr. Anne Figert, all of whom challenged me to be the most rigorous, thorough, and conscientious sociologist possible. My years of languish during the qualifying exams paid off when I gained the tremendous opportunity to work with my committee chair, Dr. Rhys H. Williams, whose patience, rigor, and important insights have propelled me forward to a new level of knowledge production. I am also grateful to committee member Dr. J. Talmadge Wright, my fellow Californian, whose ideas regarding the intersections of propaganda, art, and activism have advanced my thinking. The Department of Sociology generously funded the early years of my studies, and I remain indebted to the Department, The Graduate School, and Loyola University Chicago writ large for this opportunity in higher education. Most importantly among my teachers and mentors, I want to thank Dr. Jodi O’Brien of Seattle University, committee member and long-time personal mentor. Jodi’s interest in my work began early in my graduate career when we met at the Pacific Sociological Association Annual Meeting, and I would not be the scholar I am today without her incredible feedback and support. Jodi, I can never repay your mentorship, but I can aspire to give back to our discipline in honor of your belief in me. Thank you, Jodi. The communities of scholars with whom I have also worked throughout the years are too numerous to name here, but Dr. Caren Meghreblian’s encouragement was important in my struggle to balance “work” duties with “writing” duties during my qualifying exams. Caren also remained incredibly supportive of my research beyond our working relationship, and your friendship, Caren, is something that I deeply cherish. I iv knew when I saw Jessica Sykes on that late night MUNI bus several years ago that there was something special about her, and over the years, Jess, you have proven just how fantastic you are. Andrew Brosnan, Ben Jackson, Lori Ostlund, and Drs. Alice Templeton, Ornella Bonamassa, and Kathy Garlick staggered me with their passion for knowledge and their expertise in teaching during my work with them, and I want to thank them all for helping me become a better teacher and person. Dr. Angela Jones likewise taught me much about academia, teaching, and Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, and her encouragement and friendship is something I value very much. I look forward to reconnecting with all of these folks very soon. To Dr. Alice Templeton, who also copyedited this text, I owe a particular respect and sincere indebtedness, both as a colleague and as a friend. Thank you so much, Alice: what an honor to benefit from your wise counsel once more. Other key folks in this regard include Hyde Revilla, who helped me in ways she will never know. I could not have done what I did every day for so long without you, Hyde. Gloria Dyal and Stacey Valensko provided invaluable, technical assistance when I needed it the most during the transcription, coding, and analysis processes, and I am deeply grateful for their contributions. Thank you, Gloria and Stacey. Of course my former students provided me with a particular—and distinct—form of social consciousness, and I could not be more honored and humbled to have been their teacher. I am especially grateful to students Brian and Nancy H., Bunny, Carl S, Chris G., Christy M., Dave B., Ethan K., Jaremy B., Jonathan B., Hadijah, Kivalani, Kristina B., Lisa S., Lauren C., Rachel S., Robert P., Sarah R., Ron Z., Tim McS., Tory S., Victoria, and Zach v P. and for having kept me young, fresh, and engaged on the theoretical, methodological, and personal levels. I learned much from the community of activists with whom I worked on this project, and their interest in making the world a better place was a deeply humbling experience. Deann Liam Borshay, Andres Cediel, Debra Chasnoff, S. Leo Chiang, Linda Hoaglund, Lexi Leban, Frances Nkara, Johnny Symons, and their fearless facilitator Elizabeth Seja Min all deserve special thanks—and a fancy dinner—for their various levels of support and interest in my work. The New Day Films community welcomed me graciously, openly, and reflexively into their world, and I could not have had a better experience in the field and during our interviews. Founding members Jim Klein and Julia Reichert provided important historical information about New Day’s beginnings, and I look forward to learning more from all of the founding members going forward. Independent filmmakers were similarly eager to entertain my sociological perspective, and I look forward to our continued discussions. Andres Cediel was an amazing, unexpected collaborator in our work together on the member survey. I am beyond grateful for his inclusion of me in those efforts, which benefitted not only the New Day community but also my own research goals. Thank you, New Day, for your trust in me and your openness in our discussions. When my best friend from childhood, Dr. Daniel Gries, was in graduate school (before me), I once told him, “Eight years in graduate school? That’s as long as we were in elementary school!” Well, Danny, little did I know what I was saying. You have my utmost respect as an academic and as a person. I love you, my friend. My friends and peers Drs. Nori “Tink” Henk, Sarah “Dr. Mom” Schott, Lenore Knight Johnson, Meghan vi Burke, and fellow Ph.D. aspirant Katie Pacyna: thank you, all of you, for sticking through it with me. I could not ask for a more fabulous, smart, loyal group of friends and colleagues, and look forward to our continued adventures together. Dr. Kevin “K-Dog” Henson was first my graduate student mentor and later my friend, and I do not think I would be the ethnographer—or person—I am today without his guidance. Thank you, Kevin. P.F. Buck—or Bucky, as I like to call him—has a special place in my heart. I love you, Bucky! And there are many, many Radical Faeries and other beautiful souls who have touched my life and enriched scholarship over the years: Brad, Cayenne, Clark, Clayton, Eric, Jack, Joe, Jordan, Justin, Katie, Lisa aka “Mary”, Lynn, Martha and Bill, Michelle the “ceo,” Mitcho, Rick, Robin, Terry, Tom, Tommie, Shane, and Will, among so many others. Dr. Gregory Millard and Marit Bakken also provided crucial perspectives and emotional support when I needed it the most in the final stages of writing and defense. Thank you, all of you, for being a part of my life. A similarly deep level of gratitude and humility go to my various family members. The Metzler Family—Patricia Metzler and her son Joe Metzler—round out my extended family in the most profound and deep kinds of ways. Thank you, Joe and Pat, for accepting me into your family with love and open arms.