Identity and Online Advocacy

#BlackLivesMatter, collective identity formation on Twitter to call for social and political change.

Abstract Using Black Lives Matter as an example I explore the use of hashtags on Twitter for the purpose of forming collective identity among users, as an effective mobilisation strategy for advocacy movements to rally for social change. However, I argue that the broad nature of tweets and hashtag adaptations which have surfaced that coincide with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, can cause misinterpretations and construct new meanings that may not align with the Black Lives Matter standpoint. Nevertheless, Read more […]

Identity and Online Advocacy

#MeToo: Breaking taboos, raising awareness, empowering and uniting victims around the world

RhabiyaCadamally_MeToo_BreakingTaboosRaising-awareness_EmpoweringAndUnitingvictimsaroundtheworld-3Download Abstract: The #MeToo movement made headlines by drawing attention and raising awareness to the pervasiveness that sexual harassment and abuse is a phenomenon that occurs globally in different settings whereby previously there was a lack of understanding of the underlying impact on victims. This paper delves into the importance of online advocacy through hashtag activism by focusing on Read more […]