Defense Date
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
English
First Advisor
David Coogan
Second Advisor
Liz Canfield
Third Advisor
Shermaine Jones
Fourth Advisor
Michael Hall
Abstract
This thesis traces the development and legacy of abolitionist zines that emerged in and around women's prisons in the 1970s and 1980s. It explores how incarcerated women use the informal, DIY medium of zines to carve out rhetorical spaces for agency, self-expression, and community building. By circulating their narratives through underground networks, these women challenge the dehumanizing power structures of the prison-industrial complex and assert their right to be heard. Chapter One examines the significance of zines as alternative media for incarcerated women, arguing that they subvert traditional power structures. While acknowledging obstacles like censorship and institutional retaliation, it highlights the importance of feminist archives in preserving these histories of resistance. Chapter Two examines the concept of carceral rhetorical space, demonstrating how both the physical space of prison architecture and cultural dynamics shape the lived experiences of incarcerated women. Through close readings of poetry and zine writings, the chapter reveals the resilience and resistance strategies employed by these women as they navigate the gendered and racialized power structures that seek to confine them. In doing so, it challenges Foucault's notion of the docile body, instead highlighting how incarcerated women assert their agency and humanity. Chapter Three explores the complex interplay of agency and emotional experience. It examines resistance through zine creation and engagement with radical periodicals, showcasing reclaimed agency within the confines of prison. Additionally, it navigates the emotional terrain of loss and trauma, emphasizing collective sharing's resilience and solidarity. Ultimately, this thesis argues for the transformative potential of zines, providing a platform for a collective voice.
Rights
© Becca Ringle
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-4-2024
Included in
American Literature Commons, Rhetoric and Composition Commons, Women's History Commons, Women's Studies Commons