Activist Literacies: Transnational Feminisms and Social Media Rhetorics

Activist Literacies provides a groundbreaking rhetorical framework for the study of transnational digital activism. It challenges inaccurate language and inadequate frameworks and offers a robust set of tools for nuanced engagement with activist rhetorics. By applying literacies of positionality, orientation, and circulation to case studies, Nish illustrates the complex power dynamics at work in each scenario and demonstrates how activist literacies can be used to understand and engage with efforts to contribute to social change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2022
Publisher: University of South Carolina Press

A groundbreaking rhetorical framework for the study of transnational digital activism

What does it mean when we call a movement global? How can we engage with digital activism without being slacktivists? In Activist Literacies, Jennifer Nish responds to these questions and a larger problem in contemporary public discourse: many discussions and analyses of digital and transnational activism rely on inaccurate language and inadequate frameworks. Drawing on transnational feminist theory and rhetorical analysis, Nish formulates a robust set of tools for nuanced engagement with activist rhetorics.

Nish applies her literacies of positionality, orientation, and circulation to case studies that highlight grassroots activism, well-resourced nonprofits, and a decentralized social media challenge; in so doing, she illustrates the complex power dynamics at work in each scenario and demonstrates how activist literacies can be used to understand and engage with efforts to contribute to social change. Written in an accessible, engaging style, Activist Literacies invites scholars, students, and activists to read activist rhetoric that engages with global concerns and circulates transnationally via social media.

A key strength of Activist Literacies is its ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Nish offers practical insights and strategies for analyzing and interpreting activist rhetoric, including how to identify different rhetorical strategies, analyze power dynamics, and engage with complex issues. She also provides examples of successful activist campaigns and movements that have used innovative rhetorical techniques to achieve social change, such as the #MeToo movement and Black Lives Matter movement.

Another notable aspect of Activist Literacies is its commitment to intersectionality. Nish recognizes that digital and transnational activism is shaped by a range of factors, including race, gender, class, and sexuality. She argues that activist literacies must be inclusive and intersectional, taking into account the diverse experiences and perspectives of activists and their communities.

In conclusion, Activist Literacies is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and activists interested in understanding and engaging with transnational digital activism. Nish's innovative approach to rhetorical analysis provides a robust set of tools for nuanced engagement with activist rhetorics, and her case studies illustrate the complex power dynamics at work in different scenarios. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, intersectionality, and providing practical insights and strategies, Activist Literacies offers a valuable contribution to the field of digital and transnational activism.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781643363424