Category Archives: Language

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — In the first scholarly research examining the role of black bloggers in the blogosphere, Brown University researcher Antoinette Pole assessed how bloggers of color use their medium for purposes related to politics. She found that black bloggers are, in fact, mobilizing readers to engage in political participation. Additionally, Pole found that black bloggers do not feel discriminated against or excluded by other bloggers. These findings appear in the International Journal of Technology, Knowledge and Society.

Among the top political blogs, Pole says blogging has primarily been undertaken by white men, coined by Chris Nolan as the “Big Boys Club.” She says blacks comprise approximately less than 1 percent of political bloggers.

“Though they are less numerous, examining the role of minorities in the blogosphere is important if blogs are being used to engage in political discourse and discussion, and more importantly, political action that has real-world implications,” Pole said. “Who has influence in the blogosphere and how bloggers are using this new medium to undertake political action merits study.”

from E-Activism: Analysis of Black Bloggers in the Blogosphere

I have never been a fan of identity politics– to my way of thinking, the way around all sorts of bad things is through real economic freedom, particularly wide-spread unionization and a shortened work week. If we got the week down to say, 20 hours, well, we would have time to fight all sorts of evil.

It’s hard to argue with Eugene Robinson, though, when he writes that “class is important. But race is, too, and while I hope we eventually get to the point where race is irrelevant, we still have a long way to go.” Among the places to start reading, the Black Agenda Blog, the Angry Black Women, blackfeminism.org and blackprof.com.