Hashtag Counterpublics: #LifeinLeggings as Feminist Disruption to Mainstream Public Media Discourses
Abstract
This essay explores the disruptive impact that the hashtag #LifeinLeggings, founded by the Caribbean Alliance against Gender-Based Violence, had upon mainstream media, highlighting its role in reshaping public discourse from feminist counterpublics. It examines how women, through the sharing and documentation of their stories, unsettle mass media spaces to initiate crucial conversations about their mundane experiences with sexism and misogyny. Through a critical technocultural discourse analysis, I interrogate the disparities in discourse and representation of the movement in online newspapers at the start of the movement. The article contrasts the silence of local media in Barbados, with more detailed reporting found in regional and international outlets, highlighting the varied recognition of women’s issues. Finally, the essay emphasizes the transnational reach and unifying power of digital activism, illustrating its effectiveness in mobilizing women’s voices across geopolitical borders and advancing feminist agendas.
Recommended Citation
Haynes, Alicia
(2024)
"Hashtag Counterpublics: #LifeinLeggings as Feminist Disruption to Mainstream Public Media Discourses,"
Journal of International Women's Studies: Vol. 26:
Iss.
3, Article 9.
Available at:
https://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol26/iss3/9