Rhetoric of identity: An inquiry into symbolic syntax and composition of black identity in Bamboozled

Hussle and Motivate: An Afrocentric Understanding of Constitutive Rhetoric Toward Economic Empowerment in Nipsey Hussle’s Victory Lap Album

“…While some may argue that identity is formed at several levels and must be negotiated to become actualized (Hecht et al, 2003;Phinney, 1993;Ting-Toomey, 2005), for many rhetorical scholars, identity is primarily constructed through the symbolic actions of the rhetor. Powell (2005), for instance, contends that identity formation is fundamentally anchored in discourses that embody the rhetor's fluid values and aspirations. Powell (2005) further asserts that "symbolic material," the relationship between symbols and self-actualization, plays a crucial role in developing one's identity.…”

“…Powell (2005), for instance, contends that identity formation is fundamentally anchored in discourses that embody the rhetor’s fluid values and aspirations. Powell (2005) further asserts that “symbolic material,” the relationship between symbols and self-actualization, plays a crucial role in developing one’s identity. As Cramer and Hallett (2010) accurately note, “the selection of particular words can be a powerful tool in the construction of identity” (p. 257).…”