#shoutyourabortion

[huixin0707]

Week 5: #ShoutYourAbortion's Impact on Digital Citizenship and Participatory Democracy

Social media platforms have become effective activism tools in the digital age, allowing people to advocate for social change, mobilize communities, and magnify their voices. One such initiative that has gained popularity recently is #ShoutYourAbortion, a grassroots effort to de-stigmatize abortion and give those who have had the surgery a stronger voice. The #ShoutYourAbortion movement, which got its start on social media sites like Twitter and Instagram, invites people to discuss their own experiences freely with abortion in order to break social taboos and promote unity among those impacted by reproductive healthcare policies. This study aims to explore its implications for digital citizenship and participatory democracy.

Intersectionality Framework

The #ShoutYourAbortion movement highlights the principles of intersectionality by acknowledging and amplifying the diverse identities and experiences of individuals affected by abortion. People from different socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds are involved in the movement, demonstrating how these intersecting identities affect their views on healthcare access and reproductive rights. Through raising neglected perspectives and experiences, the movement adds to more general conversations about equity and social justice in digital spaces (Choi & Cristol, 2021; Kim & Lee, 2022).

Participatory Democracy

By giving people a forum to tell their stories, participate in public discussion, and push for changes to the law, the #ShoutYourAbortion movement is a prime example of participatory democracy in action. Through social media platforms like Instagram, participants make use of their rights to free speech and collective action, influencing public opinion and shaping the discourse around abortion rights and stigma. The movement embodies the principles of participatory democracy as outlined in the article by using digital technologies to promote expressive participation and personalised politics (Choi & Cristol, 2021; Kim & Lee, 2022).

Digital Citizenship Education

Understanding and navigating complex social issues in online spaces requires knowledge of digital citizenship, as demonstrated by the investigation of #ShoutYourAbortion on Instagram. Participants in the movement demonstrate digital citizenship skills such as critical media literacy, ethical engagement, and responsible advocacy. Educators and policymakers can draw insights from the movement to develop digital citizenship courses that promote inclusive discussion, critical thinking, and civic engagement in digital environments (Choi & Cristol, 2021; Kim & Lee, 2022).

All in all, examining #ShoutYourAbortion on Instagram illuminates the complex relationship that exists in the digital age between digital activism, citizenship, and public discourse. The movement is a prime example of the ability of social media to challenge social norms, raise the voices of the marginalised, and spark social change through the visual representation of personal narratives, advocacy messages, and group solidarity.

References

Choi, M., & Cristol, D. (2021). Digital citizenship with intersectionality lens: Towards participatory democracy driven digital citizenship education. Theory into Practice, 60(4), 361–370. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405841.2021.1987094

Kim, Y., & Lee, S. (2022). #ShoutYourAbortion on Instagram: Exploring the Visual Representation of Hashtag Movement and the Public’s Responses. SAGE Open, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221093327/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/10.1177_21582440221093327-FIG5.JPEG

[hersmartchoice0]

Free Abortion Services Los Angeles | Her Smart Choice

HER Smart Choice East Los Angeles Women's Health Center provides free abortion services to women in need. We offer a variety of abortion options, including the abortion pill and surgical abortion. We also provide financial assistance to those who qualify. Call us at 323-250-9360

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Is Abortion Legal For Minors In California?

Not all states provide legal authority for women to have abortions. Yet, the majority of California cities are in favor of abortion with some basic restrictions and rules. Now the question raised is: are minors also allowed to get facilities for abortion? If yes, what are the rules imposed on them? Scroll through the following paragraphs to gain detailed knowledge.

Is abortion legal? If you are under 18 in California, you have the right to consent to an abortion on your own only if you’re emancipated. If you’re not emancipated (which means you’re legally bound by your parents), then you must have the consent of your parents or a favorable court order.

Except in this situation, you have the right to abortion without any elderly permission. Also, you can get your abortion appointment alone and also go to the place alone for the further procedure. Besides, if you want to take someone with you for support, it’s all your choice. Especially in surgical abortion, it is good to bring some support with you to take you home safely.

[sanukidigitalcommunities]

WEEK 5: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP: HASHTAG PUBLICS AND ACTIVISM #BLM #ShoutYourAbortion

This week we focus on Digital Citizenship and its correlation with intersectionality towards participatory democracy driven digital citizenship education. Choi and Cristol explored how the Black Lives Matter movement and the covid-19 pandemic recognized the different experiences of social inequities faced by marginalized and oppressed groups on social media. Hence, making intersectionality the key to understand the current social issues and online activities deeply and critically. (Choi & Cristol 2021 p.361) They address the possibility of responsible and engaged digital citizens to solve these social inequalities to achieve participatory democracy. (Choi & Cristol 2021 p.362). The same rights and responsibilities that come with being a citizen of a nation also apply to being a digital citizen, allowing us to actively engage in online communities while using technology in a safe and ethical way.

Using the Internet and social media, people challenged unfair societal norms in order to change society through grassroots movements and activist networks. (Choi & Cristol 2021 p.365). Platformization enables digital citizens to take on political roles and fight for social justice as online activists. Online communities are formed through hashtag activism as users come together to raise awareness and bring social issues to light. (Kim & Lee 2022) The Shout your abortion, Black lives Matter and Me-too Movements serve as powerful examples for hashtag activism that continues to challenge societal problems.

#ShoutYourAbortion is a hashtag movement that began in 2015 as a response to the stigma surrounding abortion. The movement encourages people to share their personal stories and experiences with abortion in order to challenge the negative narrative surrounding it. The hashtag has been used by social media users around the world and has helped to destigmatize and normalize the conversation around abortion. (Kim & Lee 2022). The hashtag continues to act as a support resource for women who have gone through abortion or are planning to.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shout Your Abortion (@shoutyourabortion)

Shout Your Abortion — Normalizing abortion and elevating safe paths to access, regardless of legality.

Shout Your Abortion is normalizing abortion and elevating safe paths to access, regardless of legality. SYA makes resources, campaigns, and

#BlackLivesMatter hashtag which is one of the most impactful hashtags that gained widespread global recognition began in 2013 as a response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The movement was founded to advocate for the end of systemic racism and police brutality against Black people. The hashtag has been used to organize protests, educate people on racial injustice, and hold people accountable for their actions. In reaction to the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020, the BLM community grew exponentially. There were more than 118 million #BlackLivesMatter tweets in 2020 and 2021. The hashtag helped activists organize protests, educate people on racial injustice, hold people accountable for their actions, and for supporters to express their solidarity with the movement.

Tony Mobley 🪬🇳🇬 on Instagram: "“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” - James Baldwin

Tony Mobley 🪬🇳🇬 (@tonemobley) on Instagram: "“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” ..

Hashtags also serve as a way for people to connect with others who share similar experiences and to build a sense of community around a cause. Social media activists are constantly encouraging other digital citizens to share, post and repost the content and use the hashtag to help raise awareness on social issues. There are also criticisms of hashtag activism as some argue that it is too focused on short-term solutions and lacks the sustained effort necessary to create lasting change.

In conclusion, despite the criticism, Hashtag activism has proven to be a powerful tool for social change while fostering international digital communities of activists. It has allowed people to raise awareness, connect with others, and demand action from those in power.

References

Kim, Y & Lee, S 2022, ‘#ShoutYourAbortion on Instagram: Exploring the Visual Representation of Hashtag Movement and the Public’s Responses’, SAGE Open, vol. 12, no. 2, p. 215824402210933.

Choi, M & Cristol, D 2021, ‘Digital citizenship with intersectionality lens: Towards participatory democracy driven digital citizenship education’, Theory Into Practice, vol. 60, no. 4, pp. 361–370.

‘Shout Your Abortion — Abortion is normal. Our stories are ours to tell. This is not a debate.’ n.d., shoutyourabortion.com, viewed <https://shoutyourabortion.com/>.

‘Black Lives Matter on Instagram: “Black Lives Matter: 2021 Share and repost if you’re with us in 2022.”’ n.d., Instagram, viewed 30 March 2023, <https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYqBxZ5hpus/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=>.

Black Lives Matter 2013, ‘Black Lives Matter’, Black lives matter, viewed <https://blacklivesmatter.com/>.

@ShoutYourAbortion 2023, February 17, viewed 25 March 2023, & https://www.instagram.com/p/CovdamlvhXY/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=.

@tonemobley 2023, February 1, viewed 25 March 2023, & https://www.instagram.com/p/CoGVaAjLrrS/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=.

[keeleyfoster]

What is Digital Citizenship? The use of #Hashtags in Political Movements.

Social media has become the home for public discussion, especially in the case of political opinion. "Digital citizenship with intersectionality lens: Towards participatory democracy driven digital citizenship education” written by Moonsun Choi and Dean Cristol, explores digital citizenship, intersectionality and participatory democracy. Choi and Cristol explore how social media effectively enhances political messages, utilising examples like the Black Lives Matter movement and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Digital citizenship is often considered as a safety concept that is taught to ensure individuals will behave in an ethical and safe manner on social media platforms (Choi & Cristol 2021). Participatory democracy is considered by Choi and Cristol to be the positive outcome of digital citizenship, as participatory democracy focuses on online participation and civic engagement (Choi & Cristol 2021). Through the accessibility of social media, it has become possible for people to share and connect on opinions on a much larger scale. With regard to political opinion and activism, the modern ability to connect with others has lead to the formation of groups that share a desired outcome of these political issues. These communities have gained such positive momentum, and thus have been able to create change through collective action, something that was considered to be extremely difficult in a time without social media. The presence of digital citizenship is seen as crucial to achieve participatory democracy on social media (Choi & Cristol 2021).

Hashtags have become an important factor in joining those who share political opinions. It facilitates participatory activism as anyone is able to contribute to social and/or political movements (Choi & Cristol 2021). The term ‘hashtag activism’ simply describes the use of hashtags on social media platforms to promote social change (Kim & Lee 2022). Activists are more likely to gain a larger community, thus creating a larger possibility to effectively rally support and change (Kim & Lee 2022). 

The topic of abortion is a global political discussion, with the hashtag ‘#ShoutYourAbortion’ remaining relevant despite its creation in 2015 by reproductive rights activist Amelia Bonow (Kim & Lee 2022). #ShoutYourAbortion has since become the symbol of de-stigmatising abortion and a place for women around the world to safely and comfortably share their experiences with abortion (Kim & Lee 2022). The amount of traction the hashtag got is a pure example of how social media movements can facilitate such positive change.  

References;

Moonsun Choi & Dean Cristol (2021) ' Download 'Digital citizenship with intersectionality lens: Towards participatory democracy driven digital citizenship education',  Download Digital citizenship with intersectionality lens: Towards participatory democracy driven digital citizenship education', Theory Into Practice, 60:4, 361-370, DOI: 10.1080/00405841.2021.1987094Links to an external site.

Kim, Y., & Lee, S. (2022). #ShoutYourAbortion on Instagram: Exploring the Visual Representation of Hashtag Movement and the Public’s Responses. SAGE Open, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221093327Links to an external site.

How One Woman Became an Activist With the Hashtag #ShoutYourAbortion (28 March 2023) https://www.oprah.com/inspiration/how-one-woman-became-an-activist-with-the-hashtag-shoutyourabortion_1

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[hersmartchoiceclinic]

We are a California-based women's health clinic providing comprehensive reproductive health services, including counseling, education, and medical procedures. If you need assistance with reproductive health issues, contact us.

[hersmartchoiceclinic]

Women’s Reproductive Rights: A Must-Address Issue On International Women’s Day

The struggle for women’s empowerment has been long and hard-fought, with generations of brave and outspoken women paving the way for greater equality in society.

From the suffrage movement to the #MeToo movement, women have made remarkable strides in terms of rights and opportunities.

Despite the progress that has been made, there is still a lot that needs to be done.

One of the concerns in this regard is women’s reproductive rights. As we celebrate Women’s Day this year, it is essential to also take a stand to fight for women’s reproductive rights.

Let’s Make This Women’s Day Count For Women’s Reproductive Rights

People from all around the world should come together to recognize the power of women and their rights. We should celebrate the hard-fought battles and progress made in terms of gender equality and look to the future to empower women and protect their reproductive rights.

Those who don’t know reproductive rights refer to the rights of individuals to determine freely and responsibly whether they want to keep a child or not and to have the information and means to do so.

From fighting for equal pay to defending access to healthcare, it’s time to stand together and honor the struggles and successes of women everywhere.

Roe v. Wade Is A Grave Danger to Women’s Reproductive Choices

In recent years, the right of women to access reproductive health services has come under attack in the United States.

Laws have been proposed and implemented that limit or deny women access to reproductive health services such as abortion, contraception, and prenatal care.

This has been particularly detrimental to low-income women and women of color.

Her Smart Choice believes reproductive rights are fundamental human rights

At Her Smart Choice - women’s health clinic, we believe

Reproductive rights are essential for achieving gender equality and empowering women to take control of their lives.

Reproductive rights empower women to determine their reproductive health and to make decisions about when and how often they will have children.

They also allow women to make decisions about their sexuality, relationships, and reproductive health without fear of coercion or discrimination.

We must ensure that laws are not passed that limit or deny women access to reproductive health services. People should stand up for policies and programs that provide women with the education and information they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

Let’s Join Hands Together

We can join the fight for women’s reproductive rights by supporting organizations that are fighting for women’s rights and lobbying our representatives to support policies that protect women’s reproductive rights. We can also volunteer with organizations that are working to provide reproductive health services to women in need.

Let’s stand up for the right of women to access reproductive health services and to make decisions about their reproductive health free from discrimination and coercion.

We must be relentless in our efforts to protect and respect their decisions, and to empower them to make their own choices about pregnancy, birth control, and abortion.

We must strive for equality and justice so that all women can access the care they need and the respect they deserve.

We all should use this day as an opportunity to come together and fight for women’s reproductive rights.

This Women’s Day, let’s commit to fighting for women’s reproductive rights.

Originally published at https://hersmartchoice.com on March 10, 2023.

[sakrumverum]

#ShoutYourAbortion, and other positive abortion mantras, have taken over the post-Roe conversation in retaliation to abortion restrictions. There comes with it a denial or silence of traumatic abortion experiences. The APA will typically focus on the (short term) trauma of wanted abortions that were denied, rather than the long term trauma of forcibly receiving one. […] The post Coerced Abortion Exists — And Can Cause Rapid Repeat Pregnancy appeared first on Secular Pro-Life. https://secularprolife.org/2022/12/coerced-abortion-exists-and-can-cause-rapid-repeat-pregnancy/