Social Activism in the ‘Blackosphere'

Kvasny, Lynette; Payton, Fay Cobb; Hales, Kayla D.

doi:10.4018/978-1-61520-827-2.ch002

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…and a feedback mechanism in which readers can ‘comment’ on specific posts.” Many scholars have heralded blogs for possibilities to voice political concerns (Scott 2007; Tremayne 2007), mobilize movements, and change the discourse in the mainstream media (Walker Rettberg 2008). More examples of online blogging communities that are both race- and interest-based are emerging (Brock, Kvasny and Hales 2010; Igwe 2008; Kvasny, Payton and Hales 2009; Pole 2010). There are boundaries that exist for participation given the affordances of any platform.…”

Section: Alternate Publics In the Blogospherementioning

confidence: 99%

Black Bloggers and Their Varied Publics: The Everyday Politics of Black Discourse Online

Steele

2017

Television & New Media

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This article analyzes African American–oriented blogs for their potential to foster varying kinds of alternate publics while engaging in discourse that is outside what is commonly considered political communication. Bloggers and their communities use satellite and enclave spaces to explore black representation in art and media, black feminism, and class consciousness. I use critical technocultural discourse analysis to explore the affordances and constraints of blogs in creating alternate publics for African Americans online. Capitalizing on African American oral culture, black bloggers can use spaces technically accessible to the masses, yet keep discourse hidden, intentionally opting out of engagement with the dominant group. Expanding sites of inquiry and bringing a historical understanding of offline patterns of communication allow for more rich, useful, and culturally responsible research into the online communication African Americans and other marginalized communities.

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Section: Alternate Publics In the Blogospherementioning

confidence: 99%

Black Bloggers and Their Varied Publics: The Everyday Politics of Black Discourse Online

Steele

2017

Television & New Media

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“…For example, when six young African-American high school students in Jena, LA, were arrested for fighting on school grounds, and their white counterparts only received school-based punishment, many around the US were outraged. The young men who were arrested quickly became known as ‘the Jena 6’ and a network of concerned citizens, primarily through young African-Americans active online, mobilized others in an effort to get the Jena 6 released (Greenlea, 2011; Kvasny et al, 2009). Rapp and colleagues document the explicitly black feminist organizing online that took place following a sexual assault at the Dunbar Village housing project in Florida (Rapp et al, 2010).…”

Section: Race and Racism Matter In What We Do Onlinementioning

confidence: 99%

Race and racism in Internet Studies: A review and critique

Daniels

2012

New Media & Society

317

185

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Race and racism persist online in ways that are both new and unique to the Internet, alongside vestiges of centuries-old forms that reverberate significantly both offline and on. As we mark 15 years into the field of Internet studies, it becomes necessary to assess what the extant research tells us about race and racism. This paper provides an analysis of the literature on race and racism in Internet studies in the broad areas of (1) race and the structure of the Internet, (2) race and racism matters in what we do online, and (3) race, social control and Internet law. Then, drawing on a range of theoretical perspectives, including Hall's spectacle of the Other and DuBois's view of white culture, the paper offers an analysis and critique of the field, in particular the use of racial formation theory. Finally, the paper points to the need for a critical understanding of whiteness in Internet studies.

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“…Sometimes, blacks online use blogging communities to interrogate media representations of their ethnic group (Kvasny and Igwe, 2008). Nonetheless, a dearth of relevant content, as well as Web content that reproduces stereotypical depictions of African Americans found in print and broadcast media are factors that have historically limited African Americans use of the Web (Brock, 2006;Kvasny and Truex, 2000;Brock, Kvasny and Hales, 2010;Kvasny, Payton, and Hales, 2010). With the growing availability of low-cost and easy to use Web 2.0 authoring tools, African Americans are now able to author Web content that persuades readers that the site is authentic and trustworthy.…”

Section: The "Blackosphere"mentioning

confidence: 99%

Considering the political roles of Black talk radio and the Afrosphere in response to the Jena 6

Payton

Kvasny²

2012

Info Technology & People

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In this paper, we present the Black 1 blogosphere's discussion of the Jena 6 case to uncover how ethnic identity is performed discursively to promote social activism. Historically, African Americans have used radio for communication about critical issues, such as political elections, health care, education, economic development and civil rights. More recently with the growing popularity of blogs and other social media, there is evidence of a cultural shift toward democratization that allows dispersed and committed African Americans to collectively discuss pressing social issues of concern to their communities. Through an analysis of black blog postings reporting on the Jena 6 case, this case study chronicles the way in which black audiences responded to this news story. The findings point to critiques of dominant cultural meanings about race relations and racial injustice. In addition, our findings suggest that social media has become an additional medium that is effectively used by African Americans' in their historical struggle for civil rights.

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Social Activism in the ‘Blackosphere'

Cited by 4 publications

References 26 publications

Black Bloggers and Their Varied Publics: The Everyday Politics of Black Discourse Online

Black Bloggers and Their Varied Publics: The Everyday Politics of Black Discourse Online

Race and racism in Internet Studies: A review and critique

Considering the political roles of Black talk radio and the Afrosphere in response to the Jena 6

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