This blog is the template for an English project in which I am looking at blogging as a means of social activism. I am especially interested in the ways in which activist blogs can possibly be interpreted as a new form of literature. I think that the immediacy of blogging – where unedited thoughts and ideas are introduced to the public almost as soon as they are developed – differentiates it from almost any other form of writing. Blogging is accessible to anyone with basic computer skills and the ability to get to their local library, something that is in stark contrast to many other forms of activism, and especially activist writing. I am hoping to look at how blogging is utilized by “everyday people,” as both bloggers and readers. In many cases, the readers who provide feedback, or “comments,” contribute to and take ownership of the forum just as much as the bloggers themselves, and I would like to explore the type of community that develops. Again, blogging has helped to redefine what can be an activist “community” by mobilizing large groups of people entirely in virtual space.
To demonstrate the ways in which blogs are employed, I am hoping to use the blog Feministing as a case study. Feministing was started by a young woman in her early twenties named Jessica Valenti, who felt that women her age were being negatively portrayed by society and in the media. She decided to start a blog with her sister and other friends. Feministing describes their mission as: “Young women are rarely given the opportunity to speak on their own behalf on issues that affect their lives and futures. Feministing provides a platform for us to comment, analyze, influence and connect.” Valenti was not expecting to reach anyone other than their community of friends, but the blog quickly grew, and now has a huge readership. Valenti has already published one bestselling book, as have some of the other contributors, and they have all received various accolades and awards.
Feministing is unique in that last year they added a “community blogs” component to their blogging collective. Any anonymous person can now start their own blog on the Feministing website, which can potentially be read by the thousands of other visitors. They also have a strong presence on the social networking site Facebook, and regularly post YouTube videos. Feministing describes the community that has developed as:
“Feministing is an online community for feminists and their allies. The community aspect of Feministing – our community blog, rating system, and related social networking sites (our Facebook group, YouTube page, and Meetup Alliance) – exist to better connect feminists online and off, and to encourage activism. We hope that the Feministing community will provide a forum for a variety of feminist voices and organizations.”
By utilizing the many types of new media available today, Feministing has helped to develop an entirely new species of feminist community. Through this project, I am hoping to try to evaluate what effect, if any, activist blogs, particularly Feministing, have on societal change and mobilization. For a very long time social activism was defined by a prescribed list of activities, and I think it is important to recognize the ways in which the movement is developing and growing.