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Dialectic of Unity and Fragmentation in Feeding the Homeless: Promoting Social Justice Through Communication 

Authors: Wendy H. Papa a;  Michael J. Papa a;  Krishna P. Kandath b;  Tracy Worrell c; Nithya Muthuswamy c
Affiliations:   a Department of Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts , Central Michigan University.
b Department of Communication and Journalism, University of New Mexico.
c Doctoral Program, Department of Communication, Michigan State University.
DOI: 10.1207/s15456889ajc1304_3
Publication Frequency: 4 issues per year
Published in: journal Atlantic Journal of Communication, Volume 13, Issue 4 December 2005 , pages 242 - 271
Formats available: PDF (English)
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Abstract

This article examines the dialectic between unity and fragmentation in community suppers that attempt to promote social justice through communication. In these suppers there were powerful examples of unity as people participated in casual conversations, shared their personal stories, and engaged in coordinated actions to prepare the meal, eat together, and clean up afterward. Through connecting with one another and talking about personal problems, formerly isolated people are offered hope. There are also instances of fragmentation, however. For example, people experience both forces of the dialectic in dynamic tension by feeling connected at the supper but feeling disconnected on realizing they will return home to an isolated environment. The central argument advanced in this article is that unity (thesis) and fragmentation (antithesis) yield community (synthesis). Transcending the dialectic of unity and fragmentation is a great challenge and may not be possible. However, social justice may be promoted through communication when we build communities that both unify and fragment.
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