August’s online activism was all about #consent.
The month started with the unfortunate emergence of pickup artist, Roosh V, and a widely shared petition to ban him from visiting Canada. The petition didn’t keep him out but it did get people talking, and #DenyRooshV became a rallying cry for those opposed to his pro-rape message.
While in May feminists delighted in the schadenfreude of #HowToSpotAFeminist and in June many celebrated the legalization of gay marriage in the US with #LoveWins, July’s online activism took a somber turn.
Last month, #WhatHappenedToSandraBland brought attention to the disturbing death of #BlackLivesMatter activist Sandra Bland.
Stopped for a minor traffic violation in Texas and found dead in police custody days later, Bland’s death has raised awareness and questions about state violence, institutionalized racism, the vulnerable bodies of black women, and the dangers of “driving while black”.
It’s not every day that you watch an online corporate campaign and think to yourself: “They’ve nailed it!” This is what I said after seeing the new Always campaign, ‘Like A Girl’. It powerfully captures everyday sexism that plagues our cultural perceptions of gender and disempowers girls at a young age to believe they are weaker than boys.
Before I delve deeper into this topic, watch the campaign video for yourself here.
Winner of:
Toll Free: 1-866-293-4483
National Office: 1920 Yonge St., Suite 302, Toronto, Ontario M4S 3E2
© Canadian Women’s Foundation
Registered Charity #12985-5607-RR0001
Site designed by Design de Plume Inc.
