Tuesday 10 March 2015

Identities and the media: feminism online

Waves of feminism
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. See Angela McRobbie's work on women's magazines).
Fourth wave? 2010 – ongoing, use of new technology (e.g. Twitter) for activism.

Fourth wave?
Many commentators argue that the internet itself has enabled a shift from ‘third-wave’ to ‘fourth-wave’ feminism. What is certain is that the internet has created a ‘call-out’ culture, in which sexism or misogyny can be ‘called out’ and challenged.

This culture is indicative of the continuing influence of the third wave, with its focus on challenging sexism and misogyny in advertising, film, television and the media.

Key quote: “power users of social media”

The internet has facilitated the creation of a global community of feminists who use the internet both for discussion and activism.

According to #FemFuture: Online Feminism, a report recently published by Columbia University’s Barnard Center for Research on Women, females aged between 18 and 29 are the ‘power users of social networking’.

(Source: http://www.psa.ac.uk/insight-plus/feminism-fourth-wave)

Critics of online feminism


Critics of online feminist movements suggest that petitions and pressure from Twitter campaigns is simply a witch-hunt orchestrated by privileged middle-class white women.

They ask: are ‘trolls’ the danger they are portrayed to be?



Research task

1) Ched Evans: petition to prevent convicted rapist playing

In this story, Ched Evans is a footballer convicted of rape, who has faced criticism from fans and women's groups alike over his potential return to the sport.

The initial incident or situation that sparked this petition was the fact that Ched Evans was convicted of rape and he tried to return to professional not really realising what he has actually done and how it can send a bad image towards fans as at that professional level you are seen as a role model, which has led to the petition by Jean Hatchet.

In my opinion I believe to a certain extent that this campaign is both valid and a witch hunt asChed Evans has served a 2 and a half year sentence half of the original 5 year sentence and has to live with the fact that even though he was released on 17 October 2014, although he remains on the Violent and Sex Offender Register indefinitely, which will haunt him. The point about how his offence can send a bad image towards fans of a younger age as he may been seen as a role model makes sense but he isn’t allowed to technically go back to work which isn’t really fair to be honest. It wont be seen acceptable in the media and society, for a convicted rapist to be a role model for thousands of fans. 


2) Caroline Criado-Perez: female presence on banknotes

Caroline Criado-Perez is suggesting that 'Twitter has enabled people to behave in a way they wouldn't face to face'. Caroline Criado-Perez the feminist campaigner had won her battle with the Bank of England to reinstate a woman on the back of an English banknote.Criado-Perez was on the news for a very different reason, as this time she was expressing her discomfort in what she received on twitter. This article was about the rape and death threats she had received on Twitter, following her victory. Two people have been arrested for the violent threats sent too her continuously. She received tweets such as "Get back to the kitchen”“shut up” and f**k off. Othertweets such as someone saying they are going to give her a good smashing up the arse, so this shows she is receiving different types of abuse from twitter users.

The thing which started the issue of the hate messages toward Caroline Criado-Perez was that she is a strong femist and also she won her battle with the Bank of England to reinstate a woman on the back of an English banknote, which put her face and name out there which means that people in general could hate her, especially if they are against feminist ideologies. 

In my opinion people sent out death threats just because they wanted to get involved, this was a wichhunt against her. However the campaign itself was valid to gain equality for women in society today



3) Caitlin Moran: Twitter silence
Twitter Silence was a protest made up on Twitter where women were to stay silent on Twitter for a day to show their inability to speak up on Twitter in general without obtaining any sort of abuse.

This idea came about from a quote in Jane Austen's book; Northanger Abbey. Due to the abuse on Twitter aimed at the campaign set up by Caroline Criado Perez which was to put up Jane's picture on a banknote. Her fellow feminists 'rallied up' and Caitlin Moran came up with the idea of 'shutting up' on Twitter.

In my opinion this is a valid campaign as feminists just want to protest against the people who give them abuse. They are not targeting an individual in particular so there is no witch-hunt. There were mixed opinions about this method of protest as many women said it was not effective and women should be louder on Twitter rather than silent to overcome misogyny.


4) Emma Watson: HeForShe gender equality campaign
This UN talk was about Emma Watson wanting to raise awareness of gender equality, in all countries.


She has seen many things in her life which make her question why men can't be treated the same as women, economically, politically and socially.

Personal Experiences had sparked her to get involved with this campaign.
In my opinion her campaign is valid as she just wants people to be aware of what consequences gender inequality can have.


5) Emma Barnett: female journalistsargeted

This article is about Emma Barnett and other journalist being tweeted with threats. 1/20 tweets female journalists receive are abusicr or derogatory, and the majority of the "trolls" are done by men.!

The initial and specific situation that sparked trollers being really harmful was when Emma Barnett received a tweet saying "a bomb has been places outside your house. It will go off at exactly 10.47pm, on a timer & trigger - destroying everything". Due to this outrageous tweet, the police had moved the journalist from her house. 

I believe Emma Barnett is like any other female journalist or others such as celebrities who also go through the same and similar situations, thus only sever tweets by constant trollers should be related to. 

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