Date
12-19-2024
Department
School of Communication and the Arts
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD)
Chair
Sara Brake
Keywords
Mississippi, blues, black, white, racial reconciliation, race relations, communication accommodation theory, affection exchange theory, symbolic interaction theory
Disciplines
Communication
Recommended Citation
Patterson, Christian, "Racial Reconciliation in Black and White: A Qualitative Study of Live Mississippi Blues Music Communication" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6403.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6403
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research effort is to investigate a problem regarding communication between Black and White Mississippians in live Mississippi blues music settings. The central research question for this study is as follows: Can live Mississippi blues music communication be used as a tool to strengthen race relations between Black and White Mississippians? Few studies exist regarding this matter. Understanding this phenomenon is relevant because racial reconciliation is critical to the Magnolia State’s future success, and research has proven that music can unify individuals. To facilitate comprehension, a thorough literature review describes Mississippi’s racial challenges from the Civil War to the present day and reveals its connection to the state’s cherished blues heritage. Herbert Blumer’s symbolic interaction, Howard Giles’ communication accommodation, and Kory Floyd’s affection exchange theories were used in a hybrid data analysis approach to understand LMBMC interactions. Their criteria were applied during 46 hours of observation at eight Mississippi blues venues, 28 semi-structured interviews, and to 79 still photographs to facilitate comprehension and meaning. Furthermore, Robert Craig’s phenomenological communication tradition served as the perspective to assist with answering the study’s central and supporting research questions. Overall, this product provides a clear topic introduction, offers a thorough background of race relations and blues history, provides a sound methodological approach, presents precise research results, and features a robust discussion segment. Using thematic analysis, it reveals that LMBMC has the potential to strengthen race relations between Blacks and Whites at the “Birthplace of America’s Music.”
