Identities: Feminism and new/digital media

Identities: Feminism and new/digital media

Case study: Everyday Sexism

1.) Laura Bates, who started the 'Everyday Sexism' project as a website where feminists can share their stories of their victim experience as a female. 

2.) Everyday Sexism links into post-feminism in the sense that the idea that there is now gender equality from post-feminism can be challenged by the bombarding of incoming stories on the Everyday Sexism that is still present. This links as there is still something active going on between post-feminism and the western society in general.

3.) Judith Butler claims that gender roles are a 'performance' and are a result of social, political, influences, etc, and are not influenced by genetic nature. This can link to the creation of the Everyday Sexism project as there are still women who are victim to being harassed by men, therefore there is the need for feminism.

4.) Angela McRobbie talks about the empowerment of women in magazines. This links into the clash that women face, in other words, women cannot be free to express themselves comfortably without being harassed and commented by men.

Media Magazine: The fourth wave?

1.) 'Networked feminism' is "... a phenomenon that can be described as the online mobilization and coordination of feminists in response to perceived sexist, misogynistic, racist, and other discriminatory acts against minority groups." In short, it is the widespread of feminism using modern technology such as social apps to raise an Internet presence. 

'Why is it a problem' discusses the ongoing activity of women who are being victim to prejudice and discrimination despite the fact that there is belief we have arrived at a post-feminism era.

2.) The four waves of feminism are:

First wave: early 20th century, suffragette movement (right to vote).

Second wave: 1960s – 1990s, reproductive rights (pill), abortion, equal pay.

Third wave: 1990s – present, empowerment, reclaiming of femininity (high heels, sexuality etc. 

Fourth wave? 2010 – ongoing, use of new technology and digital media (e.g. Twitter) for activism.

I do believe to an extent that we are in the fourth wave of feminism - networked feminism as the modern era has had a huge influence in the influx and bringing light to feminism in general. However, I also feel as if networked feminism is a sort of merging between passiveness and womanly nature in respect. Protests would I think in my opinion be more influencing. 

3.) 

EVERYDAY SEXISM - a project that is intended for widespread of feminism, particularly by hosting a website where anyone can post stories of their experiences as a victim to being harassed, discriminated, prejudice, etc, as a woman.

HeForShe - a campaign that was founded and led by celebrity Emma Watson. HeForShe is also a unique campaign in it's own way, given that it encourages BOTH men and women to partake in the act of feminism. 

FCKH8 CAMPAIGN - this campaign is a for-profit company that merges the issue of feminism and it's clothing line that sells for the endorsing of feminism itself.

THIS GIRL CAN - a campaign as described on their website "This Girl Can is a celebration of active women who are doing their thing no matter how well they do it, how they look or even how red their face gets. Developed by Sport England, we want to help women overcome the fear of judgement that is stopping too many women and girls from joining in."

4.) 

I think the new and digital media merged with feminism is a great duo to bring more light into the issue. I think it perhaps might be an alternative to passive protesters that may feel intimidated by the idea of protesting. The convenience of the Internet having such a large scale, pandemic and a global presence also increases awareness on feminism.