Whitewashing or amnesia: a study of the construction of race in two Midwestern counties

This inter-disciplinary dissertation utilizes sociological and historical research methods for a critical comparative analysis of the material culture as reproduced through murals and monuments located in two counties in Missouri, Bates County and Cass County. Employing Critical Race Theory as the theoretical framework, each counties’ analysis results are examined. The concepts of race, systemic racism, White privilege and interest-convergence are used to assess both counties continuance of sustaining a racially imbalanced historical narrative. I posit that the construction of history of Bates County and Cass County continues to influence and reinforces systemic racism in the local narrative. Keywords: critical race theory, race, racism, social construction of reality, white privilege, normality, interest-convergence

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Level thesis:degree_level

Ph.D.

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology (UMKC)

Grantor

University of Missouri--Kansas City

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Taylor, Debra K

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Torres, Theresa L.

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10355/71102

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/71102