(Anti) Prison Literacy: Abolition and Queer Community Writing

Abstract

This article suggests that the framework of prison abolition in prison literacy studies should be developed through the relational potential of queer community literacy practices among incarcerated writers. To that end, the author presents findings from a critical discourse analysis of a newspaper by incarcerated LGBTQ+ writers. Three primary forms of audience address and rhetorical approach are identified, as well as the opportunities they offer to understand the risks and complexities of writing in prison. These differentiations in literacy practice highlight the necessity of building relationships among and between incarcerated LGBTQ+ people in prison literacy initiatives, and situate the conclusion that prison abolition’s demonstrated commitment to transformative social relations has a direct application to understanding and shaping prison literacy programming and practice.

Journal
Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric
Published
2019-04-01
DOI
10.59236/rjv19i1pp192-211
CompPile
Open Access
OA PDF Gold
Topics
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Literacy in Composition Studies

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