Reinventing the Nostalgic Past: Hidden Truths

• In Event: Naming the Past, Reclaiming the Present in Higher Education

Abstract

Disinformation provides a means for individuals to develop an identity and group identity to form solidarity within a group and continue to create division and distinction (Polletta & Callahan, 2017) thus generating disruptive communication (Bennett & Livingston, 2021) centered on race. The study examines how an institution adopted, promoted, and embedded various historical content into traditions and how this subject matter contributed to disinformation that exploited racial tensions and shaped social norms on campus and in the surrounding community. One overarching theme involves references to the confederacy demonstrated through symbolism and language. This study has revealed that instead of persuasive communication, disinformation is a form of disruptive communication that cements identity (see, e.g., Polletta & Callahan, 2017).

Authors

• Laura Bennett, Utah Tech University
  Presenting Author

• Erin Ortiz, Utah Tech University
  Presenting Author

• Tasha C. Toy, Utah Tech University
  Presenting Author