Hashtag Movements and Decolonial Pedagogy

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Abstract

A hashtag is increasingly becoming a recognized performative symbol of communication and inserting itself in regimes of discourse (Rambukanna, 2015). Movements such as #MeToo, #RhodesMustFall, #WirSindMehr, #StandWithKashmir, #BringBackOurGirls, #Ain’tNoCindrella, #OccupyGezi and #IAmNotAvirus are some examples of how movements are leveraging the communicative power of the hash symbol and its ability to perform political action in both online and offline spaces. My lecture is divided into two parts: in the first part I explain the notion of hashtag activism and trace how its emerging as a research area in cultural studies. In the second part, I advocate for the studying of hashtag movements as part of decolonial pedagogy. I demonstrate how in my MA level seminars I have used the study of hashtag movements to diversify the curriculum and incorporate critical debates on race, positionality, gender, class and privilege. My approach to pedagogy potentially disrupts nation-centric and colonial paradigms of learning.

Speakers from the University of Münster

Nyangulu, Deborah

Professur für English Studies: New English Literatures and Media Studies (Prof. Stein)