Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources

When dealing with social media platforms as spaces of activism these sites can be innovative, powerful, and fast-moving at best, and at its worst chaotic and unfocused. The line between these two distinctions is actually slighter than one might realize. This understanding of cyber activism became clearer when faced with the question “What is contemporary ‘blacktivism’ according to Facebook/Twitter/Tumblr/Instagram?”

Being a avid user of the popular blogging platform, Tumblr, and as such well-versed in the language and etiquette of the site, I sought my answer through my dashboard. Tumblr is composed of a endless scroll, comparable to Facebook’s newsfeed, that displays every user you ‘follow”s posts that can consist of either a link, photo, video, mp3, or text file that can be organized by ‘tags’. Like Twitter, there is a give and take between control: you cannot control what users post, but you can control who you follow. You ultimately build up the queue of information displayed on your dashboard.

This rule of thumb on Tumblr already an issue in itself, as it’s not only necessary to have an account to view such information, but it also requires stock knowledge of which users promote social activism the most. Already in this way, Tumblr blacktivism is exclusive in the broader sense of the term.  However because I am an established user of 5 years, this constraint only appeared in my thoughts after my study.

Taking into account the formatting and style of the website (and the advantage of 5 years of knowledge), I began my study of 30 minutes scrolling down my dashboard sure that out of my selected 500 some users one would surely post something under the activism tree. After about a minute of scrolling I saw a linked post that described the new case of Ebola in Liberia as an STD. The random post was one centered on awareness, not truly giving a solution to a possible rebirth of the Ebola crisis. And for a while this was the only post I saw. Because Tumblr is composed as a live feed, the minutes I scrolled down the dashboard before I encountered another post for social justice felt like eons.

It wasn’t until I encountered a post by a rather prominent Tumblr user in both the black and activist circles that my research progressed. This individual posted a series of inforgraphics that described the various levels of Israeli settlement on Palestinian territory, the fraught Palestinian citizenship across Israel and Palestine, and general problematic restriction of Palestinian people. The post was significantly informative as most portrayals of Palestine capitalize on the destruction of the Gaza Strip rather than the conditions that provide for this kind of environment, and the surrounding oppressions widespread through out the country. I then opened up another tab in my web browser to later peruse the user’s account, sure of the rich content in store, simultaneously still looking for another possible user to study. Right underneath their post Micdotcom, an active news source, posted GIFs of Porsha Olayiwola’s  poem that criticizes the misogynoir latent in police brutality discourse and the general dismissal of the pain black women face at the hands of black men.

Having at least two users under my belt and just ten minutes left of study, I decided to quickly delve deeper into each site. The first user’s activism centered mostly on the personal: crowdfunding for a poor black transwoman, a black family nearing homelessness, and written text posts that criticize various tangents of their multiple jeopardies as a queer transman of color. The text posts all had a least a thousand ‘notes’, which consisted of either likes or ‘reblogs’ (when users repost the content to their blogs). Furthermore you could see a constant rapport developing on these text posts that pursued discourse or fermented friendships. On this given users page the queer community of color was strong and accounted for. Switching tabs to Micdotcom, the website served as a curated collection of black internet activism across platforms. Screenshots of tweets raising awareness against recent police brutalities (#JusticeforJason, #SayHerName to name a couple), gifs of award shows and videos, news clips, and original Tumblr user posts decorated the page. Micdotcom served as a hub of generalized activism rather than specific black communal activist space.

It is in this way that Tumblr both triumphs and fails as a platform for social change. On one hand the site is a space for endless possibilities that allow for news sources and user-created online ‘zines to provide a constant stream of information crucial for social justice. These carefully curated hubs of information are a great start for both users and visitors of Tumblr. One does not need membership to view or message the copious amount of blogs present on the site. However their existence does not necessitate the existence of black community on Tumblr, individual users do. One would need to follow both prominent and random bloggers in the black community on Tumblr. These bloggers, your chosen informants, brothers, and sisters dictate your involvement with blacktivism. They raise causes for “Black Tumblr” to rally against, to raise money for, or even formally petition against on “Change.org”. These bloggers can help you through your journey of understanding matrices of oppression in your daily life, as well as navigate questions of gender/sexual/racial identity through direct messages, text posts, photos and videos open for commentary…..provided that you follow them. In addition to this slight oversight black users cannot be streamlined in the fighting of antiblackness. Some users are a part of “Queer Tumblr” or “Transgender Tumblr”or the dreaded “Barbershop Tumblr” (a part of Tumblr which is characterized by pro-black homophobic misogynoiristic users). Various pockets of Tumblr wholesale ignore some oppressions, such as colorism, to maintain their privilege and membership to the black community simultaneously. Tumblr can be a place rife with the schisms that plague physical activist spaces.

Ethical issues aside, in this sort of research Tumblr even fails in organization. Like Twitter it employs the hashtag system to organize posts, in order to make searches easier for users and non-users, however unlike Twitter, these tags are hardly agreed upon and are used liberally. Users sometimes use the tag system to input their commentary to protect the aesthetic integrity of a post. This so-called ‘talking in the tags’ makes for a chaotic black hole of information that can only be retrieved if you search that particular blogger’s archive. Tumblr has the potential to be a mess of epic proportion.

Ultimately Tumblr as a space for cyber black activism continuously toes the line of innovation and chaos. The ample opportunity for commentary and grassroot movement give Tumblr the chance to make virtual spaces of social justice bleed into the real world. However this is constantly mired by the disorganization, petty squabbles between users, and randomization of posts that is present on the site.

Word Count: 1138

 

Tags: ,

78,459 Responses to “Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources”

  1. reputation management

    like water for chocolate » Blog Archive » Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources

  2. SochSamajh says:

    Nice blog, Thank you for sharing the valuable information.
    Keep it up!

  3. chimneyrepcost says:

    Looking for chimney repair companies in Aitkin, MN? Turn to Element Hearth and Home for expert repairs, cleaning, and restoration.

  4. shibateb says:

    big nice footbal in world

  5. Aricarpets says:

    Bei Aricarpets-Teppich-Online-Shop können Sie die Erfahrung Perserteppiche kaufen, einschließlich Keshan Teppiche, Nain Teppich, Täbriz Teppich, kashmar Teppich und Mashhad Teppich, besuchen und mit Ihrem eigenen Geschmack und Wohndesign kaufen.

    Das Geschäft hat seiner Kollektion auch Perserteppich Modern hinzugefügt, die eine Vielzahl von Patchwork Perserteppiche , Teppich Orient Vintage, Einfarbige und Mehrfarbige Teppiche umfasst.

    Bei Aricarpets bieten wir eine Vielzahl von handgefertigten Teppichen an, darunter Nomaden Teppiche und bunte Teppiche, Teppiche, die im Herzen der Berge in Nomadenzelten handgefertigt werden.
    Sie finden alle Arten von Kelim Old Style, Moderne Kelims aus der entsprechenden Kategorie besuchen .

  6. kosartebs says:

    address will not be published. Required fields are marked

  7. KUBET เว็บเดียวครบจบที่นี่ เว็บคาสิโนออนไลน์ https://www.ku66.vip หวย บอล สล็อต คาสิโน บาคาร่า สมัครตอนนี้ ฟรีโบนัส 100% LINE: @KU555 เว็บตรงสล็อตPG SLOT

  8. amazing! There are some significant variations! I was amazed by the look of your field and I have recommended it to my friends and family members.

  9. In this article, we’ll answer this age-old question: How to choose the Sexy Escorts In Islamabad? I’ve been here a lot in my business. I’ve met more than 20 escorts in Islamabad, and here’s how I choose them.

  10. bonus1 says:

    Most importantly, whether there are trust and privacy-oriented studies, you can examine this with the trial bonus.

  11. Radio Frequency Jammer For Sale

    like water for chocolate » Blog Archive » Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources

  12. I am truly getting a charge out of perusing your elegantly composed articles. It would seem that you spend a considerable measure of exertion and time on your blog. I have bookmarked it and I am anticipating perusing new articles. Keep doing awesome. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. 안전놀이터 I needed to leave a little remark to help you and wish you a decent continuation. Wishing you the good luck for all your blogging endeavors. What is great respecting is dealing with instead of depending on.

  13. Do you need an “on the spot” escort? Then you should definitely be looking for a “hot” call girl service. The best ones are careful to make sure that their clients really need a service. They do this by providing options, so that you can choose which option will work best for you.

  14. I’ve been working with Lahore escorts for over 5 years now. That’s about as long as I’ve been living in this city, so I know the area pretty well. Of course, it’s important to find my favorite service providers in Lahore, but when it comes to the ladies, I always want to learn what makes them tick, so I started a blog to share my experiences.

  15. Austin says:

    I appreciate your kind gesture of sharing this informative article! Encountering such enlightening content is consistently valuable. If you’re currently in the process of seeking the finest UI/UX design service company, I strongly suggest visiting Apptunix’s website. They possess remarkable expertise in this particular domain. Once more, thank you for generously sharing this invaluable resource!

  16. Isabella says:

    Thank you for generously sharing this informative article! It’s always valuable to come across such insightful content. If you’re currently searching for the best <a href="https://www.apptunix.com/ui-ux-design/"UI/UX design service company, I highly recommend checking out Apptunix’s website. They are known for their exceptional expertise in this field. Once again, thank you for sharing this valuable resource!

  17. Isabella says:

    Thank you for generously sharing this informative article! It’s always valuable to come across such insightful content. If you’re currently searching for the best <a href="https://www.apptunix.com/ui-ux-design/"UI/UX design service company, I highly recommend checking out Apptunix’s website. They are known for their exceptional expertise in this field. Once again, thank you for sharing this valuable resource!

  18. پشتیبانی سایت یکی از مهمترین عوامل برای موفقیت کسب و کارهای آنلاین است. در واقع، سایت شما به عنوان یکی از اصلی‌ترین ابزارهای تبلیغاتی و بازاریابی شما، باید همیشه در دسترس باشد تا بتواند ارزش واقعی خود را به مخاطبان شما ارائه دهد. اگر سایت شما به هر دلیلی از دسترس خارج شود، ممکن است مخاطبان شما به رقبای شما هدایت شوند و این می‌تواند به خسارت شما باشد.

  19. چسب کاشت میلگرد برای اتصال میلگردهای فولادی به همدیگر استفاده می‌شود. این چسب‌ها به دو صورت دو کاره و سه کاره عرضه می‌شوند. چسب کاشت میلگرد دو کاره شامل چسب و پایه است و چسب کاشت میلگرد سه کاره شامل چسب، پایه و کاتالیست است.

  20. fun loving says:

    I just wanted to drop a comment and say thank you for this incredibly useful article. It made a significant difference in my understanding of the topic. Also checkout this game for fun.

  21. One of the main benefits of purchasing Viagra without a prescription is convenience.처방전필요없는비아그라 Many online pharmacies sell Viagra without a doctor's visit or prescription.

  22. Vidalista 40 says:

    Vidalista 40mg is a profoundly fruitful medication for treating erectile dysfunction in men. It ought to be taken with a full glass of water 30 minutes before sexual activity

    Erectile dysfunction is a significant sexual issue that influences men, everything being equal, in addition to those in their forties and fifties. It’s baffling, discouraging, and a major barrier to holding a cheerful relationship together.

  23. Check out our write my essay service if you are looking for best essay writing help with Low Prices.

  24. thanks for sharing your blog with us

  25. arizona Fake Id template

    like water for chocolate » Blog Archive » Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources

  26. Baccarat222 says:

    I conceive you have noted some very interesting points, regards for the post.sa casino

  27. aldo itikiwir says:

    intanbet

  28. gps jammer 12v

    like water for chocolate » Blog Archive » Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources

  29. lumayan juga bang says:

    intanbet

  30. 語馨 says:

    購買瞭解更多正品春藥資訊
    請登入台灣&香港春藥總匯:AV媚藥網臺灣總代理,或直接點擊網路連接登入網站(https://avmyw.com/)
    或加在線客服藥師的LINE:av669或飛機:@avmyw99歡迎隨時咨詢與訂購,24h竭誠為您服務,祝生活愉快!

  31. 123bet says:

    This is very good content. I have read and found it useful for me. I like to read this kind of blog.

  32. Super Mario Maker 2 – Mario Goes to the 사설먹튀검증

  33. Bali hire car with chauffeur

    like water for chocolate » Blog Archive » Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources

  34. Revolutionize your lingerie shopping experience with BLS, Pakistan's premium lingerie brand. Shop online today for luxurious lingerie, underwear, sleepwear, and loungewear.

  35. wifi frequency jammer

    like water for chocolate » Blog Archive » Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources

  36. emmamegan says:

    Hi
    Thanks for sharing an amazing and informative post. The information shared by you is really useful for me. Keep it up to do great work and hope to see more of your posts in the near future.
    read more :jd satta king

  37. Startup Business Insurance Ideas In Beginning another business can be an astonishing bid, yet it likewise accompanies crapshoots. That’s the reason it’s critical to consider new company protection to shield your association from anticipated mischances.

  38. Carts-US is committed to promoting responsible vaping practices.
    They provide education and resources to help customers make informed decisions about vaping,
    and they strictly adhere to industry regulations and standards to ensure the safety of their products.

    Thc carts online

  39. نمایندگی کولر آبسال اندیشه
    آبسال تهران
    نمایندگی مجاز محصولات آبسال ( کولر آبی – بخاری – لباسشویی ) در غرب تهران شهرک اندیشه ، فردیس ، ملارد ، شهریار مناطق باغستان – فردوسیه – وحیدیه – صباشهر – شاهدشهر ) ارسال سریع محصولات با ضمانتنامه معتبر نصب توسط سرویس کار مجاز

  40. hacker a pagamento

    like water for chocolate » Blog Archive » Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources

  41. This is a great article thanks for sharing this informative information. I will visit your blog regularly for some latest post.

  42. Bali private driver

    like water for chocolate » Blog Archive » Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources

  43. Michael Kim says:

    Book publishing companies play a crucial role in bringing authors’ work to readers worldwide. They provide editorial, design, marketing, and distribution support, ensuring high-quality books reach the market. From traditional giants to indie presses, these companies shape the literary landscape.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.