Comments on: Why are trending topic #hashtags so sexist? Part 2

By: Exploring Narratives of Technology » Technology Diary – 10/17

Exploring Narratives of Technology » Technology Diary – 10/17 — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 04:29:28 +0000

[…] and non-American. Additionally, many trending topics on Twitter tend to be sexist and misogynist [See examples here]. Fortunately, it seems that the online community of feminists is always live to fight off these […]

By: The Day Twitter Went Down - A New Atlantis

The Day Twitter Went Down - A New Atlantis — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:32:00 +0000

[…] you care so much about Twitter? It’s mostly just people complaining about their breakfast and sexist hashtags in 140 characters. 140 characters. It’s like, ‘congratulations, Jack Dorsey. You […]

By: Elly

Elly — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:08:14 +0000

In reply to Miranda. Agreed, #areweequals? is ace. Also can be used effectively for sex-politics and race-politics action. Jolly good show!

By: Russell

Russell — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:38:25 +0000

In reply to Miranda.

My problem with that (maybe it’s irrelevant) is that people generally have a very poor understanding of what “equals” means. It’s often taken to mean “the same as” but when applied in a social context it doesn’t mean that at all. I am equal to my friend Jim, but whereas I work and he doesn’t, he owns a PS3 and I don’t, he likes eggs and I don’t, we are not the same. The example Helen gives suggests an inequality, but the Monty Python “what if you respect his right to have babies” thing doesn’t necessarily; different characteristics shouldn’t necessarily imply inequality.

I am willing to accept the possibility that I may be talking nonsense and failing to contribute.

By: Miranda

Miranda — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:06:33 +0000

In reply to Helen. I like that one - keeps it political by phrasing it as a question.

By: Helen

Helen — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:16:25 +0000

What about #areweequals? which links to a big coalition campaign about to kick off in March. People can share things they are thinking or have seen and means guys can use it too.

‘I changed my outfit today because I knew I’d have to walk past that building site and just can’t be bothered with the comments #areweequals?’

By: Miranda

Miranda — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:10:27 +0000

In reply to Elly. The whole For Book's Sake team are a lovely bunch :)

By: Elly

Elly — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:34:28 +0000

1) Awesome post, awesome comments.
2) @BookElfLeeds rules! She is very cool IRL also.
3) Although I enjoyed #imafeministbecause, I didn’t participate in the hashtag. Not because I’m not, but because I didn’t know what I could say in the remaining characters that could sum up all the injustices, prejudices, loves, wonderfulness etc that comes with being a feminist.

I think a hashtag must allow people the opportunity to personalise it, as you say, but it also must be short and flexible enough to permit lots of different interpretations, like those using it deadpan (like Miranda’s friend) or someone using it in earnest. Also agree that it should be gender flexible like Brave Sir Robin said.

Hacking into another hashtag could be combined: like having #thereisno #normal or #whodwanttobe #normal or #sexism #itsnotnormal

Or you could have #itshouldntbenormal so sort of bouncing off the original?

I’m so glad I found out where the hash key is on my Apple keyboard.

By: Russell

Russell — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:42:31 +0000

In reply to Sarah J.

Miranda – maybe that’s why it might work, we’d be subverting an anti-feminist trope. Ha!

By: Miranda

Miranda — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:51:29 +0000

In reply to Russell.

Hmmm. While I think all of our suggestions are obviously open to sarky hijacking and hand-wringing, because that’s the nature of Twitter, I’ve heard “I’m not allowed to” as a direct phrase from antifeminist spouters just a leetle bit too often. “Apparently I’m not ALLOWED to have a joke anymore …” etc.