Theses by Caleb Sabatka
Raw Tales: An Anthropology of Postcolonial Writers in Exile, 2020
Inspired by Polish literary scholar Anna Łebkowska's writing, this thesis is a work of anthropolo... more Inspired by Polish literary scholar Anna Łebkowska's writing, this thesis is a work of anthropology that focuses on the specific population of writers from postcolonial nations who live in exile in the land of their former colonizers. I include an original literary translation of Cuentos Crudos, a collection of short stories by Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel, as part of a larger conversation about the important work translation has in bringing awareness to the unfortunate circumstances which brought these writers to “seek refuge in the metropolis.” By focusing on the destabilization of postcolonial nations following their independence, the problem of postcolonial national identity in language and literature, the “writer as anthropologist,” and how literature and translation can be used as a powerful medium of resistance and activism against oppressive regimes, I hope to encourage readers and academics to read the work of writers before “speaking for” their subjects. In short, this thesis serves as a space to reflect on the importance of academic and literary works to effectuate change and encourage us all to become more interdisciplinary in our studies and use our voices to highlight the work of marginalized and vulnerable people.
Conference Presentations by Caleb Sabatka
Restorative Pedagogy and Community Creation in Prison: Anthropology in Practice, 2021
Presented at the NEAA 2021 Annual Meeting: Anthropology in a Time of Transition and Crisis
Abstr... more Presented at the NEAA 2021 Annual Meeting: Anthropology in a Time of Transition and Crisis
Abstract: Global Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police have sparked a nationwide conversation about officer conduct in prison and on the streets. This study makes the case for using anthropological knowledge to create intentional restorative communities between correctional officers and incarcerated people to address the pattern of abuse and distrust within prisons. The contribution of the anthropologist is powerful for prison authorities struggling to respond to the crisis of the “guard subculture” and create communities between groups in conflict with disparate power imbalances. Teaching restorative justice and consulting as an anthropologist in prisons requires challenging strictly enforced social dynamics and carefully approaching ethical dilemmas such as confidentiality and safety as participants discuss sensitive topics in the circle process. The role of the anthropologist changes when acting as a consultant and teacher tasked with creating communities instead of as a researcher studying them.
Articles by Caleb Sabatka
Latin American News Digest, 2019
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Theses by Caleb Sabatka
Conference Presentations by Caleb Sabatka
Abstract: Global Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police have sparked a nationwide conversation about officer conduct in prison and on the streets. This study makes the case for using anthropological knowledge to create intentional restorative communities between correctional officers and incarcerated people to address the pattern of abuse and distrust within prisons. The contribution of the anthropologist is powerful for prison authorities struggling to respond to the crisis of the “guard subculture” and create communities between groups in conflict with disparate power imbalances. Teaching restorative justice and consulting as an anthropologist in prisons requires challenging strictly enforced social dynamics and carefully approaching ethical dilemmas such as confidentiality and safety as participants discuss sensitive topics in the circle process. The role of the anthropologist changes when acting as a consultant and teacher tasked with creating communities instead of as a researcher studying them.
Articles by Caleb Sabatka
Abstract: Global Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police have sparked a nationwide conversation about officer conduct in prison and on the streets. This study makes the case for using anthropological knowledge to create intentional restorative communities between correctional officers and incarcerated people to address the pattern of abuse and distrust within prisons. The contribution of the anthropologist is powerful for prison authorities struggling to respond to the crisis of the “guard subculture” and create communities between groups in conflict with disparate power imbalances. Teaching restorative justice and consulting as an anthropologist in prisons requires challenging strictly enforced social dynamics and carefully approaching ethical dilemmas such as confidentiality and safety as participants discuss sensitive topics in the circle process. The role of the anthropologist changes when acting as a consultant and teacher tasked with creating communities instead of as a researcher studying them.