RHETORICS OF RIOT: ATTICA, ARCHIVES, AND AFFECT

Abstract

Rhetorics of Riot: Attica, Archives, and Affect revisits the Attica prison uprising of 1971 through an abolitionist lens. Drawing on Aja Martinez’ theory of counterstory and Lisa Flores’ theory of racial rhetorical criticism, this project incorporates archival materials to curate the story of Attica from the perspectives of those who were inside the prison. Much of this curation is conducted through the medium of podcasts in order to platform the literal voices of the Attica Brothers and to reproduce facets of their affective experience. The first chapter offers a theoretical framework for the project as a whole, discussing methods and grounding the research in scholarly and activist literature and praxis. Chapter two offers the stock story of Attica as told by Attica administrators, the Grand Jury, and the New York State Police. Chapter three refigures our understanding of riots. By troubling the hegemonic version of events, it offers an abolitionist approach to riot rhetorics that honors the identity and agency of incarcerated people. Chapter four examines the hypocrisy and oppressive power of hegemonic civility discourses. It then offers an alternate view of civility and citizenship rooted in counterstories from the Attica Brothers. Chapter five concludes the project by discussing broader applications of the abolitionist reading of Attica counterstories. The podcast elements throughout the project constitute a critical public memory countersoundscape, troubling hegemonic memorialization of Attica and adding to the abolitionist efforts to tell these counterstories and speak truth to power.