Back to results

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

"Dream. Drive. Do.: becoming that ""someone like me"""

Abstract

dc:description

The author presents an autoethnographic account that captures the vulnerable moments, emotions and critical incidents to produce an evocative story about becoming a role model. Applying the theoretical lens of cultural capital, broader implications are made about identity development, race, disability and discrimination. A fusion between social science and screenplay yields a compelling story where the effects of reality, vivid details, and human experience come together. This unique intersection relies on the power of dialogue as well as rich visual imagery and cinematic techniques to capture key moments and the emotions of certain critical incidents. The overarching story pertains to a federal lawsuit and serves as the anchor point. By moving forward and backward in time from this main event, other pieces pertaining to race, adoption, disability, sport and family are weaved throughout. The result is a survivor’s tale that encourages other’s to empathize and reflect about his or her own tale and engage in moral and ethical conversations. The author wants others to feel motivated to take control over their own lives, to think differently about the notion of diversity and to feel empowered to become a role model to others. This dissertation gives a voice to the autoethnographic “I” through scenes and challenges hegemonic ways.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph.D.
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Human Resource Education
Grantor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Year dc:date
2012

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Forber-Pratt, Anjali
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Aragon, Steven R.
  • Denzin, Norman K.
  • Alston, Reginald J.
  • Span, Christopher M.

Subjects

dc:subject × 22

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • (c) 2012 Anjali J. Forber-­Pratt
Language dc:language
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/31070
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/31070

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Base URL
www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Forber-Pratt, Anjali. "Dream. Drive. Do.: becoming that ""someone like me""". Dissertation thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2142/31070