Identities: Feminism and new/digital media

Key notes

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 and digital media (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. 





http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/10/07/female-journalists-women-trolled-feminism-sexism_n_5946346.html

1) Summarise this example for the rest of the class in one paragraph
The story here is that three women who were all journalists received the exact same message on Twitter threatening that there is a bomb that will explode outside of their house. It highlights that women with opinions are targeted more with death threats and are in more danger.

2) What was the initial incident or situation that sparked this example?
A Twitter post threatening that a bomb will blow up outside three journalists house at 10:47.

3) In your opinion, is this an example of a valid campaign or something of a witchhunt against people who are not doing any serious harm?
In my opinion this is an example of a valid campaign as women in positions of power that have made a career and are able to give their opinion are being threatened for this. There is no valid reason to do this and needs to be addressed. Although the threats turned out to be fake they could have just as easily been real and shows that something has to be done to prevent this.

http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/9/emma-watson-gender-equality-is-your-issue-too

1) Summarise this example for the rest of the class in one paragraph
The example is about Emma Watson's speech to the UN for gender equality not only for women but also men as well. The speech was given using examples from her own life explaining how she was lucky and didn't have any inequality growing up.

2) What was the initial incident or situation that sparked this example?
The initial incident was the constant fight for equal rights for women

3) In your opinion, is this an example of a valid campaign or something of a witchhunt against people who are not doing any serious harm?
In my opinion this is an example of a valid argument to gain equal rights for men and women and will have a much bigger impact coming from a well known celebrity who is known for her leading role in a massive movie. This shows viewers that even a female with an established career still wants to fight equal rights for female.

1) Summarise this example for the rest of the class in one paragraph
The article is about a footballer accused of rape and a petition to stop him from returning to his former club gaining 160,000 signatures preventing this from happening. It caused huge uproar and ruining his career which many believe is not enough.

2) What was the initial incident or situation that sparked this example?
The initial incident that sparked this was the alleged rape of a woman by a footballer.

3) In your opinion, is this an example of a valid campaign or something of a witchhunt against people who are not doing any serious harm?
In my opinion this is definitely an example of a valid campaign and the fact that it is a famous person accused of the dreadful act just raises the stakes in how carefully it has to be dealt with as it cannot be seen that because he is famous he cannot get away with it.