CAN YOU SPARE SOME (SOCIAL) CHANGE? PARTICIPATORY MEDIA AS CATALYSTS FOR CHANGE IN POOR AND HOMELESS COMMUNITIES

Abstract

Increase in empowerment and accurate representation for lower socioeconomic status groups is a dire and growing need in America. This dissertation examines how participatory media processes can serve as catalysts for change in populations of poverty and homelessness in the U.S. Using critical theory and qualitative analyses, I analyze the relationship between participatory media and voice, dialogue, and critical consciousness at two case studies, POOR Magazine and Sanctuary Women’s Development Center, and argue that through the interaction of these key components in the participatory media process, an increase in empowerment and agency will result. I also examine where the possibility lies for civic engagement in the participatory media process. Additionally, this study argues that the participatory media process can serve as a reflexive lens for people in poverty and homelessness to critically analyze structural forms of oppression and their role in creating social change. Ultimately, I propose the concept of digital reflexivity and assert that digital reflexivity serves as a critical catalyst throughout processes of voice, dialogue, and critical consciousness for the increase of empowerment and agency.