Papers by Christopher Chambers
Systemic Racism
Race scholars generally, and whiteness scholars in particular, have long searched for a term that... more Race scholars generally, and whiteness scholars in particular, have long searched for a term that could capture the commonalities of white identity and experience. They have done so while being careful not to imply that all whites experience their race identically or have equal access to whiteness. 1 Whiteness scholars are equally careful not to reify an "identity
Psychology & health, Jan 20, 2015
Previous research has suggested a need to understand the social-psychological factors contributin... more Previous research has suggested a need to understand the social-psychological factors contributing to HIV risk among African American men who have sex with men (MSM). We conducted individual in-depth interviews with 34 adult African American MSM to examine their personal experiences about: (i) sources of social support, (ii) psychological responses to the presence or absence of social support, and (iii) influences of social support on sexual behaviors. The majority of participants described limited positive encouragement and lack of emotional support from family, as well as few meaningful personal relationships. Feelings of isolation and mistrust about personal relationships led many participants to avoid emotional intimacy and seek physical intimacy through sexual encounters. Findings highlight a need for multi-level interventions that enhance social support networks and address the social-psychological, emotional, and interpersonal factors that contribute to HIV risk among African...
Reclaiming Blackness: (Counter) Narratives of Racial Kinship in Black Gay Men‘s Sexual Stories. (... more Reclaiming Blackness: (Counter) Narratives of Racial Kinship in Black Gay Men‘s Sexual Stories. (May 2011) Christopher Scott Chambers, B.A., Drew University; M.A., University of Maryland – College Park; M.A., University of Florida Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Joe R. Feagin Black gay male identities and their place within the social hierarchy are organized by interlocking systems of race, sexuality, gender and class. This produces the social marginality of black gay men in seemingly neutral ways. Prominent features of this systemic oppression are stock stories of black gay life that construct black gay men as pathological, dangerous, conflicted, inauthentically black, emasculated, and heretical within public and academic discourses. In order to better understand these dynamics and add to the empirical literature on race/sexuality intersections, fifty-two men identifying themselves as black/African American and as having relationships with other men, participated in semi-structure...
Background: Understanding the drivers of passive and indifferent attitudes toward condom use prov... more Background: Understanding the drivers of passive and indifferent attitudes toward condom use provides important insights into African American MSM’s sexual risk behaviors, and can inform prevention strategies for this highest priority HIV-risk population. Methods: Thirty four semi-structured interviews were conducted with African American MSM in the northeastern US. In-depth thematic analysis sought to describe mechanisms driving passive and indifferent attitudes toward condom use in this population. Results: The majority of participants who expressed passive or indifferent attitudes toward condom use (e.g. “yeah, whatever”) did not raise the subject of condom use themselves, but did use condoms if it was suggested by their sexual partner(s). At the same time, they conveyed an awareness of protected sexual behaviors as “the responsible thing to do,” and often expressed regret after engaging in unprotected sex. Childhood familial health promotion messages regarding personal responsib...
Systemic Racism: Making Liberty, Justice, and Democracy Real, 2017
This chapter engages a focused study of the white racial frame as theoretical concept and analyti... more This chapter engages a focused study of the white racial frame as theoretical concept and analytical tool. As Feagin's former students during the time he developed the concept, we draw on our knowledge of the white racial frame at various stages of development and areas of expertise to highlight the concept's outlines and strengths. Using a roundtable format, we explore three questions: 1) what is the white racial frame and what does it theorize; 2) what does the white racial frame explain; and 3) what does the white racial frame contribute to our understanding of race/racism that other extant theories do not or cannot? Building from these, we conclude the chapter with a real-time dialogue. The collective discussion deepens public understanding of the white racial frame and enhances utility for future scholarship. (Forthcoming in Systemic Racism: Making Liberty, Justice, and Democracy Real, edited by R. Thompson-Miller and K. Ducey. New York: Palgrave. Authorship is shared equally among contributors.)
Previous research has suggested a need to understand the social-psychological factors contributin... more Previous research has suggested a need to understand the social-psychological factors contributing to HIV risk among African American men who have sex with men (MSM). We conducted individual in-depth interviews with 34 adult
African American MSM to examine their personal experiences about: (i) sources of social support, (ii) psychological responses to the presence or absence of
social support and (iii) influences of social support on sexual behaviours. The majority of participants described limited positive encouragement and lack of emotional support from family, as well as few meaningful personal relationships. Feelings of isolation and mistrust about personal relationships led many participants to avoid emotional intimacy and seek physical intimacy through sexual encounters. Findings highlight a need for multilevel interventions that enhance social support networks and address the social-psychological, emotional and interpersonal factors that contribute to HIV risk among African American MSM.
Background: Understanding the drivers of passive and indifferent attitudes toward condom use prov... more Background: Understanding the drivers of passive and indifferent attitudes toward condom use provides important insights into African American MSM’s sexual risk behaviors, and can inform prevention strategies for this highest priority HIV-risk population. Methods: Thirty four semi-structured interviews were conducted with African American MSM in the northeastern US. In-depth thematic analysis sought to describe mechanisms driving passive and indifferent attitudes toward condom use in this population. Results: The majority of participants who expressed passive or indifferent attitudes toward condom use (e.g. “yeah, whatever”) did not raise the subject of condom use themselves, but did use condoms if it was suggested by their sexual partner(s). At the same time, they conveyed an awareness of protected sexual behaviors as “the responsible thing to do,” and often expressed regret after engaging in unprotected sex. Childhood familial health promotion messages regarding personal responsib...
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Papers by Christopher Chambers
African American MSM to examine their personal experiences about: (i) sources of social support, (ii) psychological responses to the presence or absence of
social support and (iii) influences of social support on sexual behaviours. The majority of participants described limited positive encouragement and lack of emotional support from family, as well as few meaningful personal relationships. Feelings of isolation and mistrust about personal relationships led many participants to avoid emotional intimacy and seek physical intimacy through sexual encounters. Findings highlight a need for multilevel interventions that enhance social support networks and address the social-psychological, emotional and interpersonal factors that contribute to HIV risk among African American MSM.
African American MSM to examine their personal experiences about: (i) sources of social support, (ii) psychological responses to the presence or absence of
social support and (iii) influences of social support on sexual behaviours. The majority of participants described limited positive encouragement and lack of emotional support from family, as well as few meaningful personal relationships. Feelings of isolation and mistrust about personal relationships led many participants to avoid emotional intimacy and seek physical intimacy through sexual encounters. Findings highlight a need for multilevel interventions that enhance social support networks and address the social-psychological, emotional and interpersonal factors that contribute to HIV risk among African American MSM.