Beyond "real life": Activism and harassment in the social justice blogosphere

<p>This thesis examines harassment that takes place online, specifically on websites that focus on issues of social justice from a feminist perspective. The content I examine is a form of activism in which writers and readers work together to form communities online. I also examine online protests as a form of activism. As a result of these Internet publications and protests, many writers face harassment and degradation as they attempt to express themselves in virtual spaces. This thesis grapples with the extent of the harassment and offers explanations as to why it takes place. I explore these topics from a philosophical perspective and use logic as my methodology. The first explanation I provide for this harassment relates to access, publicity, and privacy. The Internet is contested space and some people do not think others should be allowed to express themselves within it. The second explanation relates to a lack of understanding between people, which can cause one to doubt another’s experience.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Women's and Gender Studies

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Kozlowski, MaryAnn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Margaret Crouch, PhD, Chair
• Elizabeth Currans, PhD
• Peter Higgins, PhD

• feminism
• blogs
• activisim
• harassment
• internet
• Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication
• Science and Technology Studies

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/423

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1792