Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This essay analyzes the private and the public in modernity, postmodernity, and postsocialism—with a focus on the last. Building on Warner’s structural intersubjectivist definition, I find counterpublics among the Eastern European intellectuals.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: In this paper I argue for a more precise reconstruction of black counterpublic theory that emphasizes the differences between institutional and non-institutional, or strong and weak, counterpublic sites. My argument proceeds from two objections to Melissa Harris-Lacewell’s 2004 book, "Barbershops, Bibles, and BET." First, Dr. Harris-Lacwell does not clarify if or how ‘the black counterpublic’ is distinct from other subaltern counterpublics. I argue that this difficulty presents itself because ‘the black counterpublic’ is too complex and diverse to be analyzed. All that naming the black counterpublic does is affirm that black political discourse exists. Once it has been named, analytic use of the black counterpublic is exhausted. If we wish to analyze black political discourse, we have to examine specific black counterpublic sites or invocations, rather than the black counterpublic as a whole. Second, though Harris-Lacewell does look at a variety of sites, she hedges between using the term “black” as a simple descriptor, conveying that the people at the counterpublic site are black, and using “black” as an idea that describes the character of the site or discourse.

I begin by presenting a brief summary of crucial issues in the public sphere and counterpublics debate, drawing largely from Nancy Fraser’s seminal article, “Rethinking the Public Sphere” (1989). Following the review, I situate Harris-Lacewell in the public sphere debate, and try to pin down how she uses the term "black counterpublic." I then underscore the strengths of Barbershops, Bibles, and BET, and note its contributions to theories of black ideology. Finally, I turn to the text’s ambiguities and unanswered questions, which point to a more comprehensive theory of black counterpublics and the work they do.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Recent scholarship, even if sympathetic to constructivism, suggests that the oft-employed Habermasian understanding of political rhetoric and framing is seriously flawed and does not reflect real-world communicative processes. Elites representing powerful interests can selfishly and successfully manipulate frames and political rhetoric so as to achieve their desired ends. Moreover, it is virtually impossible to isolate and ascertain the appeal of a particular rhetorical act or interpretive frame. Both concerns make problematic any kind of critical commitment to the construction of legitimate international order. To overcome these problems, this paper embraces the ideals of public sphere theory, but I join a number of critical scholars who study multiple and overlapping public spheres outside the dominant public sphere(s). Attention is directed at so-called "counterpublics" who invent and circulate discourses in opposition to those featured in the mainstream. Counterpublic spheres potentially make the predominant public sphere more inclusive and open to dissent. Some empirical attention is directed at the apparent success of the anti-war counterpublic, as reflected in their distinct minority status immediately after the 9/11 attacks in regard to war in Afghanistan in fall 2001 through opposition to the Iraq war in 2006.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: One thinks of the gay male community as a counterpublic when viewing it through the lens of the larger—primarily heterosexual—public. However, if it becomes clear that some subset of this community exists in a counterpublic relationship relative to the larger community, then the gay male community could be viewed as a dominant public. One such co-culture is the community of transsexual gay men. This paper demonstrates the existence of this public-counterpublic relationship.

Publication Type: Proceeding