Indigenous Representations + Social Media

OUB110:Am I black enough? Indigenous Australian

representations

Leesa Watego@IscariotMedia, @CriticalClassrm @DeadlyBloggers

Lecture for Dr Juliana McLaughlin, QUT, April 21, 2015

Current writings by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people belong within a cultural and historical continuity that

predates the invasion whilst utilising, adapting and challenging the written genres and

forms of the colonising culture.Anita Heiss

My name is Leesa, and it’s lovely to meet you :-)

You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, Slideshare Google+, Pinterest, YouTube, Tumblr, Foursquare (either as leesawatego &/or IscariotMedia). I invite you to connect.

some blogging/social media terms

self-hostedplatformblog

postStorifyTwittermsmpaid/owned/earned

what is “social” media?- As distinct from “print” media? - User-Generated Content on a diverse range of platforms?

http://caudallure.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/racist-headline-in-tasmanian-newspaper/

Herald Sun, 11th April 2015

“We have been portrayed … as negligent and abusive parents, extremely violent, sexually abusive, corrupt, alcoholic, substance abusers and bludgers on welfare, suffering from cultural dysfunction …”

Aileen Moreton-Robinson, 2012

Research tool (survey)

Feminism, Fashion, Design, Lifestyle, Politics, Education, Indigenous Organisations, Language, Culture, Health, Well-being, Professional, Writers, Literature, Business, Arts,

●Only a small percentage of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people

●Platforms - Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr. Majority do not have self-hosted spaces

●Small percentage have more than one blog

●All self-taught. A few have attended workshops.

Responses -

Why do you blog?

Expression - share my stories, my life, my ideas, my travels, Strategic - build a professional profileActivism - blogging is about Freedom + Empowerment - “no one can stop me”, Professional - income generation

Responses -

Impact of blogging

1.Professional successa. launch of an online magazineb. professional writing gigs (msm), increased

credibility, speaking engagementsc. publishing contracts

2.Skills developmenta. improve writing skillsb. better engagementc. deeper connections

3.National culturea. Archived in Pandora (National Library)

4.Personala. Feels good to have a place to “speak in my own

voice”

Responses -

Racism and other forms of discrimination

Of respondents, only a small percentage indicated they had experienced racism as a result of their blogging. Usually in the comments section.

Responses -

●Most indicated they would not be hesitant about writing something because of the likelihood of racist attack.

●A few indicated that they have deleted tweets after making them.

●“some non-Indigenous people Storify tweets out of context”

Have you experienced racism as a result of blogging?

Do you self-censor your posts to limit racist responses?

Advice to others concerned about racism

Take the good with the bad (like all of life)Use a pseudonym if you’re concernedTake time to post (sleep on it, edit again, before you publish)There will always be haters, be courageousDon’t take it personallyKnow the risks before you start. Think about privacy before you startBuild a supportive networkDo not read the comments

Responses -

Your Blogging GoalsResponses -

Build an app and other productsBuild a more professional blogEarn a livingGenerate more msm writing opportunitiesGenerate online products - films, screenwriting, booksBuild a regular readership

Biggest hurdles for Murris in the blogosphereResponses -

TechnologyAccessRacism - from commenters, lateral violencePromotionTime!!!Pigeonholed into “an Indigenous blogger” category

General comments

Because of blogging ...I feel less aloneI’ve found my voiceI’ve found new direction, career I’ve made new friends and partnerships

Blogging ...Takes too much timeIs great, but the Australian media & trolls make it very tough for Indigenous voices

=> Write what you love, don’t think of the $ yet

www.indigenousx.com.au

www.sosblakaustralia.com

www.blakhistorymonth.com

Blogging, & other forms of online publication, allow writers to define themselves (and their Aboriginality). It can provide a space where First Nations Peoples can play, explore, create, debate, rant and vent, satirise, and philosophise the world in which we live.

Online publication, like other forms of publication, are defined by particular structures. Issues of access, ownership, permanence, and security all impact on the effectiveness of online publication for First Nations Peoples. But the potential to throw down or bypass the gatekeepers of traditional publication is too great to ignore.

Additional Reading

● Melissa Sweet (2009) Is

the media part of the Aboriginal Health problem, and part of the solution?

● Luke Pearson at TEDx Canberra - discussing the inspiration for his development

of @IndigenousX

● Bronwyn Carlson (2014)

Well-Connected Indigenous kids keen to tap new ways to save lives