PERFORMATIVE SYMBOLIC RESISTANCE: EXAMINING SYMBOLIC RESISTANCE EFFORTS OF BLACK PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES THROUGH A NEW METHODOLOGICAL ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract

This dissertation introduces the concept of Performative Symbolic Resistance (PSR) as a way to describe and analyze the individual acts and performed by activists in their efforts to bring awareness to and combat social injustices. I define Performative Symbolic Resistance (PSR) as the use of a specific nonverbal motion(s) or act(s) as a languaging strategy to symbolize protest against a socially constructed system of oppression. This project situates Performative Symbolic Resistance (PSR) as 1) a denotative term used to name the strategy(ies) social activists use as they seek acknowledgement of and redress for social ills, 2) an illustrative term used to describe a strategy social activists use as they seek acknowledgement of and redress for social ills, and 3) an analytical tool that scholars of rhetoric and technical and professional communication (TPC) can use in their continued efforts to examine how performance, performativity, and symbolism are and can be used to engage in acts of resistance. It is based on the idea that an individual can use their physical body to perform resistance while simultaneously using specific spaces, and acts to 1) symbolize an idea or ideology and to 2) create or perpetuate a resistant rhetoric. I offer it as a tool that can be used 1) to acknowledge and privilege rhetorical acts by groups of people who are discounted and even demonized, and 2) to further decolonize the rhetoric often used to describe the acts of protestors and activists as they attempt to combat systemic and socially perpetuated oppressions.