A personal exploration of the relationship between Black identity and US politics, through reflection and recollection of the author’s journey from student, to politician, to university professor.
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Is politics the best way to make changes in your community? How can one find a political identity? What is the relationship between Black identity and the US political field?
Through reflection and recollection, author Stephen Graves explores these questions as he describes his journey from young Black student, to politician, to teaching at a university level – all as a way to engage with and effect change in his community. Focusing on the author’s lived experience, this book will bring life to political theory and studies of American politics.
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- vAbstract
- viAcknowledgements
- viiContents
- ix
- 1 Social spaces and older queer adults
- Introduction
- On “queering” language
- Aotearoa New Zealand
- Interviews and participant narratives
- Theoretical framework
- Critical social theory
- Critical gerontology
- Social capital
- Significance of this book
- Book outline
- 2 What is social about social capital?
- Introduction
- Social connectedness
- Community
- Close friends and chosen family
- Trusting relationships
- Reciprocity in action
- Exchange of resources
- Emotional and personal support
- Practical support
- Conclusion
- 3 Swings and roundabouts
- Introduction
- Legislative change, visibility, and safety
- Social stigma and risk
- Inclusivity and participation
- Perceived generational shifts
- Legislative change and internal dynamics
- Conclusion
- 4 With friends like these
- Introduction
- Gay men and lesbian women: “you’re you and I’m me”
- Never mind the “B”
- Gender diversity and transgender older adults: “They just don’t get trans”
- “Headspace, willingness, and bravery”
- Conclusion
- 5 Adding silver to the rainbow
- Introduction
- Ageism and dismissal – “go home grandad!”
- Gay people are never gonna get old
- Conclusion
- 6 Towards equality in care
- Introduction
- Engaging with professionals
- Dismissive attitudes
- Lack of knowledge
- Competent professionals
- The perception of hostility: homophobia and cisnormativity on planning for aged care needs
- Ageism and heteronormativity
- Specific fears for older queer adults
- “Wouldn’t it be nice?”: queer facilities and services
- Gender diversity in aged care
- Conclusion
- 7 Breaking barriers
- Introduction
- The political–social dynamic of social spaces
- Identity and inclusion within the queer community
- Aged care and aged concerns
- Social capital and social spaces
- Social justice, structural systems, and social work
- Social justice and the profession of social work
- Power systems in social work
- Micro, meso, and macro: practice, policy, and pedagogy
- Citizenship and political autonomy
- Professional competency and discrimination
- The queer community: supportive relationships and internal dynamics
- Purpose of the conceptual model
- Paradigm for practice with older queer adults
- Micro
- Meso
- Macro
- Critical reflexive actions
- 8 Reshaping social spaces
- Introduction
- Contribution to the wider discussion, the social work profession, and Aotearoa New Zealand
- There and now
- Working within communities: recognising and supporting diverse identities
- Thoughts about language
- Reflection
- Influence on practice
- Concluding thoughts
- 171Recommended assignments and activities
- 177Notes
- 179References
- 192Recommended further reading
- Index
Stephen Graves PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and The Center of Africana Studies at Oklahoma State University. He is the founder of Troublesome, a non-profit focusing on providing educational and professional services to minorities and underprivileged groups. In 2021, Dr Graves was selected as one of COMO Magazine’s “20 Under 40”.
Is politics the best way to make changes in your community? How can one find a political identity? What is the relationship between Black identity and the US political field?
Through reflection and recollection, author Stephen Graves explores these questions as he describes his journey from young Black student, to politician, to teaching at a university level – all as a way to engage with and effect change in his community. Focusing on the author’s lived experience, this book will bring life to political theory and studies of American politics.
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- vAbstract
- viAcknowledgements
- viiContents
- ix
- 1 Social spaces and older queer adults
- Introduction
- On “queering” language
- Aotearoa New Zealand
- Interviews and participant narratives
- Theoretical framework
- Critical social theory
- Critical gerontology
- Social capital
- Significance of this book
- Book outline
- 2 What is social about social capital?
- Introduction
- Social connectedness
- Community
- Close friends and chosen family
- Trusting relationships
- Reciprocity in action
- Exchange of resources
- Emotional and personal support
- Practical support
- Conclusion
- 3 Swings and roundabouts
- Introduction
- Legislative change, visibility, and safety
- Social stigma and risk
- Inclusivity and participation
- Perceived generational shifts
- Legislative change and internal dynamics
- Conclusion
- 4 With friends like these
- Introduction
- Gay men and lesbian women: “you’re you and I’m me”
- Never mind the “B”
- Gender diversity and transgender older adults: “They just don’t get trans”
- “Headspace, willingness, and bravery”
- Conclusion
- 5 Adding silver to the rainbow
- Introduction
- Ageism and dismissal – “go home grandad!”
- Gay people are never gonna get old
- Conclusion
- 6 Towards equality in care
- Introduction
- Engaging with professionals
- Dismissive attitudes
- Lack of knowledge
- Competent professionals
- The perception of hostility: homophobia and cisnormativity on planning for aged care needs
- Ageism and heteronormativity
- Specific fears for older queer adults
- “Wouldn’t it be nice?”: queer facilities and services
- Gender diversity in aged care
- Conclusion
- 7 Breaking barriers
- Introduction
- The political–social dynamic of social spaces
- Identity and inclusion within the queer community
- Aged care and aged concerns
- Social capital and social spaces
- Social justice, structural systems, and social work
- Social justice and the profession of social work
- Power systems in social work
- Micro, meso, and macro: practice, policy, and pedagogy
- Citizenship and political autonomy
- Professional competency and discrimination
- The queer community: supportive relationships and internal dynamics
- Purpose of the conceptual model
- Paradigm for practice with older queer adults
- Micro
- Meso
- Macro
- Critical reflexive actions
- 8 Reshaping social spaces
- Introduction
- Contribution to the wider discussion, the social work profession, and Aotearoa New Zealand
- There and now
- Working within communities: recognising and supporting diverse identities
- Thoughts about language
- Reflection
- Influence on practice
- Concluding thoughts
- 171Recommended assignments and activities
- 177Notes
- 179References
- 192Recommended further reading
- Index
Stephen Graves PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and The Center of Africana Studies at Oklahoma State University. He is the founder of Troublesome, a non-profit focusing on providing educational and professional services to minorities and underprivileged groups. In 2021, Dr Graves was selected as one of COMO Magazine’s “20 Under 40”.
