SQ9: Activism

Learning about the uses of new media in activism today has expanded the way I think about how how using these various forms lend themselves fan activism and participatory politics. In Jenkins’ article, we read about the way activist groups take popular or commonly known media or stories and adapt them to a current social event. For example,dressing up in  Avatar costumes and blue skin was taken as a symbol showing some sort of repression or injustice. Now, looking at the meaning of the two terms above, fan activism and participatory politics, we see that these imply active engagement. One, through the commonality of a known source that already acts as a connection between many people. The other, the verb itself--participatory politics is pretty much what it states: being active in some sort of politic. Being participatory means being engaged and helping others to engage in a cause.

Looking at a form of new media that offers opportunities for a form of activism, we see Facebook and other social media making certain filters with logos or calls to action. Pending gay marriage supreme court ruling, human rights groups pushed followers to change their profile pictures to add a rainbow. Facebook made possible for users to add a rainbow to their profile picture. Users could choose how long to leave the new filter ranging from a day to permanently. When disasters such as the attack in Paris happen, Facebook creates logos such as “The World With Paris” or the country’s flags for users to use on their profile pictures. This type of participatory activism is easy for many to engage in because of the simple nature. While not the most groundbreaking work, these movements allow for the spread of awareness throughout the masses. It makes it easier for people sitting at home thousands of miles away from the most recent tragic or important social event to have a voice or share a voice.