| This study focuses on the practices of African Diaspora Participatory Literacy Communities (ADPLC's); ADPLC's consist of communities of Africans, African Americans and West Indians who participate in literacy or literary-centered events outside of school and work settings. ADPLC's exemplify the continuum between reading, writing and orality rather than supporting dichotomous views of "oral" and "literate" practices. This dissertation focuses on two key types of ADPLC's: spoken word/poetry events and Black-owned book store events which blend traditions of spoken and written word. This study shows how ADPLC's are organized, how they are orchestrated, what cultural practices they have present and specifically how those practices center around literacy. Additionally, this study examines how organizers, artists and audience members see their roles in these communities as well as their motivation for participation. A qualitative ethnographic approach guides the study; it consists of participant observation in these two key types of ADPLC's over time and in-depth interviews with organizers, artists and audience members to provide insight to the nature and purpose of these communities. Ultimately, this study identifies models of support for literacy learning for people of color from all age and class backgrounds while demonstrating how ADPLC's have become educational institutions for their participants who seek alternative knowledge sources. |
