WHERE THE BLACK PEOPLE AT: AN EXAMINATION OF THE REPRESENTATION OF BLACK SCHOLARSHIP IN COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC

This study explores the relationship between academic journals, the researchers who submit to them, and what is published. My central question examines if the representation of Black research in the top composition journal is sufficiently published to effectively contribute to the epistemological processes of the field. This exploration includes a historical revisionist review of the professionalization of composition that attempts to include the influences of African American composition/rhetoric scholars, an article review of the top journal in writing studies, College Composition and Communication, and utilizes survey and interview methods, to reveal the intricacies in the relationship between scholars, editors, and academic journals. While conversations regarding race are not new to the field, it is evident, still, the impact that race has on its development. Specifically, how race impacts the voices of minoritized scholars in the field. I argue that scholarship on the experience of Black people is not adequately represented in the College Composition and Communication journal. Similarly, the contributions of Black scholars have not been sufficiently included or acknowledged in the historical context of the development of the composition field which contributes to inequitable learning experiences for Black students and other of color who may not seem themselves in the field as well. Additionally, just as we research the relationship between students and their writing processes and how it influences their abilities to learn, we also should question and research scholars and the relationship between their writing responsibilities, namely submitting to academic journals, and how those interactions influence and impacts their growth and development as emerging researchers.

Author

• Hewitt, Ronada

• African American
• Black
• Composition and rhetoric
• inclusion
• writing and rhetoric
• Writing Studies

Identifier

hdl:1920/14447

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:MARS:1920/14447