When are you going to finish your dissertation?

Chapter 3. Methodology came back from Rich & Mary Louise. ML provided minor revisions mainly related to grammar and sentence phrases. Deep breath. Rich's feedback was trickier. I'll have to 1) add an additional section justifying why I chose to focus on three case studies out of the 57 HBCU graduates I interviewed - 2) add a section about how I will specifically apply and code the critical race theory related concepts during my narrative analysis. 1 - 3 chosen because of their ability to operationalize and contextualize spiritual resilience within the context of HBCU Black graduates life histories in a way that may be identifiable to others (see Creswell - validity/etc);  focus on higher-order consciousness responses to racism; triple consciousness Franz Fanon. A unique coping strategy that can offer new insights into how Black HBCU graduates cope with personal challenges within and societal challenges without. *highly generative and fill a significant gap in existing resea...

Finished a very solid draft of Chapter 3 - Methodology. The references are solid, follows Creswell's standards for qualitative research, and reflects the extensive layers of intentionality I put into the process of conducting my dissertation study. Just launched it into my faculty advisors' atmospheres and will excitedly await their feedback. Love, TLS

I know what it feels like to almost win the race.  Towards the end of my track career, I realized hurdles was actually the track event in which I could be most competitive. However, because I didn't spend the time necessary to learn proper technique, I would sprint over hurdle after hurdle ahead of the competition, only to fall at the end and lose the race. I even have a picture of one race where I was so far ahead, you can't even see other runners in the frame. But I remember the tumble I took at the end in those bumblebee colored spikes. That may have been the last time I ran hurdles. I didn't have enough self-esteem yet to push myself to focus and reach self-actualization at the finish line.  Today at 5:33 in the morning I know what it will take to finish this race. And this time, I have the willpower to do it. 

[Justification] I sought to conduct my dissertation research using both grounded theory qualitative analysis and a critical race theory narrative inquiry. The study was fundamentally an analysis of the life histories of African American historically black college and university graduates. However, the life histories were analyzed through both deductive and inductive reasoning that allowed for data to emerge from both grounded and critical race theoretical lenses. As a dual Ph.D. candidate in two unique departments, I have been influenced by a variety of theoretical approaches to inquiry that made this unique research design possible. [Integrity Statement] Prior to beginning this research, I approached this research with great caution due to the population Qualitative Research Design - Qualiative research: Life histories - Data Collection - Research Questions Data Analysis - Grounded Theory - Critical Narrative Analysis using CRT Critical Synthesis of Data - Deductive Rea...

HBCUs UnHushed:  A critical race analysis of spiritual resilience in the life histories of three African American graduates of a historically Black university  Chapter One - Introduction  Chapter Two - Theory  Chapter Three - Life Histories  Chapter Four - Summary Analyses Chapter Five - Conclusion  Weekend April 18-19 Write working methodology draft - Send to Rich & Mary Louise Week of April 19 Begin summary analysis of Zane life history *Call Zane for review & updates Listen, review &  e-transcribe Kenya interview  Recover Alex spiritual resilience track if possible Week of Apri 27  Complete summary analysis of Zane life history  Begin writing Alex life history  Week of May 4 Complete Alex life history *Call Alex for review & updates Begin summary analysis Alex life history Clean up references Week of May 11  Complete summary analysis of Alex life history...

My life was orbiting around myself. That's like the precise definition of narcissism; being so focused on yourself that the focal point of everything you say and do is you. Then God knocked my center of gravity into a different galaxy; as a result, I lost myself. This is the point at which I really became a doctoral student; one who pursues real wisdom (not just knowledge) to help others (not just themselves). I got lost in space about 7 years ago and have traveled to various other planets, dimensions, and probably got lost in a dark hole or two. Gravity whisked me away so I could see all life forms as feasible friends instead of inevitable foes. There is a quantum physicality to our individual existence - so insignificant unless we merge with others for purposes far great than our singular consciousness. So as I've progressed through this PhD program, my insignificance has dawned on me morning after morning until I finally woke up and greeted it with a smile. As the gravit...