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“Everyone is Welcome Here”: Exploring Inclusion and Belonging in Little Five Points, Atlanta, Georgia, through Murals as a Form of Placemaking
Full text linkThis senior thesis explores the potential of murals to promote community inclusion and a sense of belonging. It proposes a typology for understanding murals as a form of placemaking used to examine murals in Little Five Points, Atlanta, Georgia. This case study examines the relationship between murals and their effects on inclusion and belonging in the urban environment. By looking closely at three categories of murals (unsanctioned murals, commissioned murals, and advertisements disguised as murals), this study determines that effective placemaking through murals requires prioritizing community involvement
Mapping Asian and Asian-American Community Formations in Hartford Through Culturally-Related Businesses
Full text linkHartford has been recognized as a global city through its diverse ethnic population and cultural formations consisting of Native American, Black, Latinx, Puerto Rican, and Afro-Caribbean communities. Yet, scholars have not yet fully explored Asian and Asian-American community formations in Hartford and how these communities have contributed to Hartford’s global interconnectedness. Through my senior thesis research, I aim to address this gap by highlighting the importance of Asian community formations through Asian-owned business and food practices in the Hartford region.
In this context, my research asks: How are Asian diasporic and Asian-American community formations visible in Hartford through culturally-related businesses and socioeconomic practices? What transnational linkages are made in Asian-owned businesses surrounding food and food culture? How do these businesses contribute to the visibility of smaller Asian populations in Hartford as a global city and Connecticut? In this project, I analyze three Southeast Asian diasporas: Vietnamese, Filipino, and Thai.
For the methodology of my research, I first reviewed the data pertaining to Asian immigration and Asian-owned food businesses in the U.S. and Connecticut to establish the context of my research. I then engaged in archival research from The Hartford Courant to explore how Vietnamese, Filipino, and Thai communities have been reported on by the local media. Finally, I conducted nine semi-structured interviews with Asian food business owners between December 2023 and February 2024.
By combining these three methodologies, I weave a storytelling narrative throughout this project with personal histories from the individuals, families, and businesses from Vietnamese, Filipino, and Thai backgrounds to share in the intimate stories of culture, displacement, immigration, and identity. Asian-owned food businesses in Hartford can offer insights into the histories of Asian immigration, entrepreneurship, familial aspirations, and transnational diasporic crossings that are not easily visible in the historical documentation of Asian diasporic communities
Identität in Schwarz und Weiß: Die Übersetzung der Afro-Deutschen Identität in den Werken von May Ayim
No full textMany parts of our being are attached to how we identify and with whom we identify. Theoretically, how we identify is based largely on one’s own choices, but such freedom is not always the case. Unfortunately, identity is often imposed upon one by the surrounding racial and ethnic majority. Like many non-white people in a white environment, this was the case for the German poet and activist, May Ayim. May Ayim (1960-1996) was born to a white German mother and a black Ghanian father. Although Ayim spoke German, grew up in Germany, and was fully acculturated into German society, she moved through German society as a foreigner. Ayim’s racial and cultural identity were incompatible with one another. In order to combat the German socially defined concept of “German-ness,” Ayim and a group of black German women began the Afro-German movement.
This thesis discusses the concept of Black racial and cultural identity within a German context. Through an understanding of German colonial history and the German politics of identity, this thesis will make clear the catalyst for the Afro-German Movement. The Afro-German Movement was created and led by black German women, and it was sustained by their will for self-identification, self-determination, and sense of belonging in their own homeland. This movement broke down walls through creative mediums, such as music and literature. May Ayim, one of the leaders of the Afro-German Movement, used poetry to voice her experiences and identity as a black woman in Germany. In this thesis, I examine the Afro-German identity in Ayim’s poems, and how it has been translated into English. More specifically, I examine the intricacies of the Afro-German Movement through the analysis of language in Ayim’s poems. Language and translation act as the bridge between cultures, a main goal of the Afro-German movement. Therefore, through the examination of translation and language, I can fully uncover the impact of the Afro-German Movement. Finally, I present my own English translations of five poems written by May Ayim
妻(tsuma) is not 奥さん (okusan) Hidden Figures in Japan: Japanese Housewives
Full text linkIn spoken Japanese, a husband will use妻 (tsuma) to refer to his own wife and use奥さん (okusan) to refer to the wife of another. The kanji for奥 (oku) means “deep inside” with 奥さん (okusan) carrying the literal meaning of “someone who is deeply hiding inside of the house”. Thus, this term illustrates the expectations for the wife to remain hidden deeply inside of the house, revealing how Japanese housewives are hidden figures in Japan.
The thesis shows the social situations of Japanese women and analyzes the pressures that lead Japanese women to become to housewives. The popular Japanese TV show The Full-Time Escapist will be analyzed using the work of feminist political theorists, such as revealing the cultural reasons and social impressions of women staying at home. The thesis uses the TV show to analyze their role in taking care of the family members and the expectation of being 良妻賢母, “good wife and wise mother”. Additionally, Japanese legislation is interpreted alongside the social issues presented in this drama to show the structural factors compelling Japanese women to become housewives.
Japanese women have been forced to become housewives under social concepts and systems. The oppression of women is often ignored by the public. This thesis will criticize the oppression of women in Japanese society by discussing whether Japanese women voluntarily become housewives or not and will provide a detailed understanding of current political and social climate of being women in Japan
Beyond the Surface: Understanding the “Blurred Lines” of Sexual Dynamics and Consent in Trinity College\u27s Hookup Scene
Full text linkThis thesis explores the complex interplay of sexual behaviors, consent, and campus culture at Trinity College through qualitative ethnographic research. Delving into the nuances of hookup culture, a prevalent social phenomenon, the research examines how it often blurs the boundaries between consensual and non-consensual sexual interactions. Thirty in-depth interviews with Trinity College students reveal the intricate dynamics of consent communication and understanding within this context. The findings highlight significant gaps in students\u27 communication about boundaries and consent, driven by the pressures of social capital and the normalization of alcohol-fueled encounters. The theme of blurred lines emerges as a central issue, with many students experiencing uncertainty and ambiguity in their sexual interactions due to a lack of clear communication. This research underscores the need for more effective sexual assault prevention training and clearer communication about consent to mitigate the risks associated with these ambiguous sexual interactions. By presenting detailed narratives from students, the study provides a rich, contextual understanding of the cultural and social factors contributing to misunderstandings and coercion in sexual relationships on campus. The insights gained aim to inform better campus policies and educational programs, fostering a safer and more respectful environment for all students