Here’s an email I got today. My answers were tossed off pretty quickly, I’m afraid.<\/p>\n
I am a Danish journalist writing an article about how feminist blogs’ popularity are now being called the new third wave feminism – and in order to document the thesis, I would like you to answer a few simple questions. I really hope you’ll take part in my little “opinion” poll,<\/p>\n
Questionnaire – please answer and send back to me:<\/p>\n
When did you start your blog?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
May 2002. [Actually, I misrememberd. The first post on “Alas” was June 26, 2002 –Amp]<\/em><\/p>\n
How many visits the site every month (if you don’t know, then your estimate)?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
About 120,000.<\/p>\n
How many has an account at your page?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
That isn’t relevant to how my blog software works, because readers don’t need an account in order to leave comments. However, I can tell you that there are over 58,000 reader comments in my blog’s database, not including spam.<\/p>\n
Do you know, how many feminists blogs are out there – how many do you know?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I don’t think anyone knows how many feminist blogs are out there.
\nHundreds, at the least.<\/p>\nWhy do you blog?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It’s a hobby. Some people knit, some people do crosswords, I blog.<\/p>\n
Why do you think these blogs have become so popular?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I think that most people have some hunger to see their own views engaged with and discussed in media. Since the mainstream media almost completely cuts feminists out of so many discussions (at least in the USA, where I live, but I suspect elsewhere in the world as well), feminists turn to the internet to make up the lack.<\/p>\n
Does “equal status” between the sexes exist?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
On the whole, no, it doesn’t.<\/p>\n
If no, is that why you blog?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Well, it’s one of the issues I’m passionate enough to write about
\nagain and again. And again. And again.<\/p>\nOr is there a greater purpose to your blog?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
A greater purpose than trying to fight inequality and sexist injustice
\nin my own fairly tiny way? No, not really.<\/p>\nIs this in your opinion the revival of the third wave? (Or is it really the fourth wave?)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I don’t think the so-called “third wave” needed any revival – before blogs, feminism was going strong in universities, in zines, in music, in online discussion boards, in some TV shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and in many other places. Blogs didn’t revive the third wave – if anything, the third wave made feminist blogs happen. But blogs have made explicit feminist discussion much easier for folks outside of universities to read and join, and that’s great.<\/p>\n
How can this “wave” reach those not fortunate enough to own or have the chance to use a computer?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Well, that’s one reason I’d like to see more feminists and feminist thought on mainstream TV – to reach people who won’t or can’t engage in more direct ways. And it’s also one reason why talking about these things face-to-face, as well as on the internet, is so important.<\/p>\n
But the internet is helpful, too. It’s given a way for feminists from many places over the world (although mostly the industrialized world, for the reasons you mentioned) a way to exchange and spread ideas and become part of each other’s lives. And although it can be criticized for not being perfect (what alternative is perfect?), that feminist blogs don’t reach everyone doesn’t mean they’re not providing substantial benefits for those folks they can reach.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here’s an email I got today. My answers were tossed off pretty quickly, I’m afraid. I am a Danish journalist writing an article about how feminist blogs’ popularity are now being called the new third wave feminism – and in … Continue reading