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: ,

79,361 Responses to “Methodologies V: Using and Analyzing Digital Media Sources”

  1. Megaqq says:

    jangan lewatkan kesempatan dapat bonus kemenangan jutaan rupiah dengan bergabung bersama situs resmi MEGAqq

  2. deawjana says:

    The pain is endless  says his wife Cida, sitting at her kitchen table, ringed by her children and grandchildren. And every day we hear about more families suffering as we sufferlosing a loved one.

    อ่านต่อเพิ่มเติม โรงเรียนบ้านห้วยทรายขาว

  3. sneak a peek at this site

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

  4. Your article is really amazing. I appreciate the words that you used in it.
    now I want to share with you netgear wireless airbridge

  5. Icecream Franchise Opportunities : Ice Berg Ice Creams is one of the Best Ice Cream Franchises in India, Grab franchise opportunities now at Bangalore, Hyderabad, Nellore, and many more.

  6. deawjana says:

    Even before President Moïse’s assassination, the situation in Haiti was marked by instability and there had been widespread protests demanding his resignation.

    อ่านต่อเพิ่มเติม โรงเรียนบ้านชัฏหนองหมี

  7. Does your brother printer keep going offline and you’re struggling to urge it back online? Then read our given solutions below and windows 10 and MAC and it’ll solve your brother printer offline issue quickly.

  8. what is shatter
    Very interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing. Good job!

  9. http://ekeralaclassifieds.com/User/profile/56769

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

  10. snahta says:

    I am glad to see this brilliant post. all the details are very helpful and good for us, keep up to good work.I found some useful information in your blog, it was awesome to read, thanks for sharing this great content to my vision, keep sharing.
    UI UX design Course in Pune

  11. I am glad to see this brilliant post. all the details are very helpful and good for us, keep up to good work.I found some useful information in your blog, it was awesome to read, thanks for sharing this great content to my vision, keep sharing.
    UI UX design Course in Pune

  12. I’d like to come back whenever I have a chance to visit your blog again. 메이저놀이터 Let’s have fun talking next time. Please let me know about my blog. Thank you.

  13. 대구오피 says:

    Hi there, I found your website via Google while looking for a related topic, your web site came up, it looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  14. I got too much interesting stuff on your blog. I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the good work.
    스포츠토토

  15. GOSTOPSITE33 says:

    Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info.
    고스톱

  16. I basically need to disclose to you that I am new to weblog and unquestionably loved this blog website. Likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You totally have magnificent stories. Cheers for imparting to us your 토토사이트추천

  17. Our Assignment Writing experts provide instant assignment help for all the university subjects and topics at very reasonable prices . we provide best quality assignments with satisfaction. Our Expert writer are 24/7 available for your assistance, visit us for more​.

  18. 비아그라 구매

    Of course, your article is good enough, but I thought it would be much better to see professional photos and videos together. There are articles and photos on these topics on my homepage, so please visit and share your opinions.

  19. Like water for chocolate, very nice blog. I like to read your blogs. I want to tell you if you want to be wired or wireless quality in your router, then you should buy tplink router.

  20. Buy Proxies For Multilogin

    I found a great…

  21. Wenguixin, thought-provoking and touching; Wenguiqi, fascinating and fascinating; Wenguijing, if you delete a sentence, if you delete a sentence, Wenguizhen, enthusiasm touches the heart of the stone;
    에볼루션카지노v.

  22. buying weed online
    I like how to put your ideas and passion into writing . Thanks for sharing.

  23. Proxies Buying

    I found a great…

  24. Proxy Price

    I found a great…

  25. togel master says:

    togel master

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

  26. Buy Proxy Lists By Country

    I found a great…

  27. Great job! Thanks for sharing.I regularly visit your site and find a lot of interesting information.Thank you.

  28. https://Seliniotakis.gr/community/profile/erickchin114752/

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

  29. open whatsapp on web

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

  30. Ssl Private Proxies

    I found a great…

  31. internet Poker games

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

  32. Resell Proxy

    I found a great…

  33. 달팽이사이트

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

  34. Reliable Proxies

    I found a great…

  35. Buy Us Proxy List

    I found a great…

  36. 안전공원 says:

    i respect what you have got carried out here. I like the part wherein you say you are doing this to present back but i would assume via all the remarks that this is working for you as properly. Thank you for some other informative blog. Where else ought to i get that sort of statistics written in such a super approach? I’ve a project that i’m simply now running on, and i have been at the appearance out for such statistics. Your content material is nothing short of high-quality in lots of ways. I think this is attractive and eye-opening cloth. Thanks a lot for being concerned approximately your content and your readers. Brilliant weblog! I found it whilst browsing round on yahoo information. Do you have got any recommendations on how to get indexed in yahoo news? I’ve been trying for some time but i by no means appear to get there! Appreciate it. I latterly determined many beneficial records to your website specially this weblog page. Most of the masses of feedback on your articles. Thanks for sharing. This is the form of information i’ve lengthy been trying to find. Thanks for scripting this records. You’ve got performed a awesome activity with you internet site 안전공원

  37. Cool you inscribe, the information is simply salubrious in addition captivating, i’ll give you a hook up with my scene . The post may be very exceptional around the world many human beings want to examine this type of publish i am also a part of them and after the analyzing give suitable evaluations . I examine a top notch deal of stuff and i discovered that the approach for maintaining in contact with clearifing that exactly need to kingdom turned into first-rate so i’m inspired and ilike to come back once more in destiny.. Useful information .. I’m very happy to examine this text.. Thank you for giving us this beneficial facts. Exquisite stroll-thru. I appreciate this publish. Such an mainly considerable article. To a wonderful diploma charming to study this article. I need to want to thanks for the undertakings you had made for growing this marvelous article . Wonderful blog. I took satisfaction in scrutinizing your articles. That is extremely a brilliant scrutinized for me. I have bookmarked it and i’m suspecting scrutinizing new articles. 메이저놀이터

  38. 먹튀검증 says:

    Thanks for your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and may come back in the foreseeable future . Nice post. I learn some thing more difficult on various blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating you just read content using their company writers and use a little something from their site. I’d prefer to use some with all the content in my small weblog no matter whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide you with a link on the internet weblog. 먹튀검증

  39. I felt extraordinarily upbeat while perusing this web page. This become honestly highly educational website online for me. I definitely favored it. This became actually a welcoming submit. An awful lot preferred! Thanks again for all the information you distribute,right publish. I was very inquisitive about the thing, it’s pretty inspiring i ought to admit. I love touring you web site since i always come upon exciting articles like this one. Amazing task, i greatly appreciate that. Do maintain sharing! Regards . Positive website, wherein did u come up with the information in this posting? I’ve read the various articles to your internet site now, and that i definitely like your fashion. Thank you one million and please maintain up the effective paintings. A very first rate web page. 메이저놀이터

  40. Very exciting put up. That is my first time visit here. I found such a lot of exciting stuff to your blog especially its discussion.. Thanks for the submit! that is an notable publish i visible way to proportion it. It’s miles truely what i desired to look wish in destiny you’ll retain for sharing any such terrific put up. I desired to thank you for this first-rate read!! I in reality cherished every little little bit of it. I have you ever bookmarked your site to check out the new things you publish. High-quality website, where did u give you the statistics in this posting? I have read a number of the articles on your internet site now, and that i genuinely like your fashion. Thank you 1,000,000 and please preserve up the powerful work. Very best blog and articles. I am truely very satisfied to go to your blog. Now i am observed which i truly want. I take a look at your blog normal and try to research something from your weblog. 메이저놀이터순위

  41. Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your blog post very much. You have really shared a informative and interesting blog post . It’s difficult to get knowledgeable individuals during this topic, however, you seem like what happens you are referring to! Thanks . Nice post. I discover some thing tougher on distinct blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and employ something there. I’d would prefer to apply certain with the content on my own weblog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide a link on your internet weblog. Appreciate your sharing. fantastic points altogether, you simply received emblem reader. 메이저놀이터목록

  42. Game says:

    Game

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

  43. Good website! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes it is. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which may do the trick? Have a great day! I’ve suffered with a hearing problem all my life and using the web to talk to people has changed my life, I enjoy many blogs and plan to start my own in the near future. I found your site from a post I read, I though I’d take a look and I’m happy I did. Thanks for sharing nice information with us. i like your post and all you share with us is uptodate and quite informative, i would like to bookmark the page so i can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job. 먹튀폴리스넷마블

  44. 먹튀검증 says:

    Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback. Just admiring your work and wondering how you managed this blog so well. It’s so remarkable that I can’t afford to not go through this valuable information . I want to share good information. Get good information. I will get good information. Everyone will have a hard time due to the corona, but please do your best. I hope that the corona will disappear soon. It would be hard for everyone, but I hope that the more I will endure and get good results. Thank you 먹튀검증

  45. cataract surgery

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

  46. Great job for publishing such a beneficial web site

    비아그라 구매

  47. Through this post, I know that your good knowledge in playing with all the pieces was very helpful. I notify that this is the first place where I find issues I’ve been searching for. You have a clever yet attractive way of writing. This is a great feature for sharing this informative message. I am impressed by the knowledge you have on this blog. It helps me in many ways. Thanks for posting this again. I really enjoy simply reading all of your weblogs. Simply wanted to inform you that you have people like me who appreciate your work. Definitely a great post. Hats off to you! The information that you have provided is very helpful. 스포츠토토

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.