Experiencing fan activism: Understanding the power of fan activist organizations through members' narratives
Fan activism, forms of civic engagement and political participation growing out of experiences of fandom, is a powerful mode of mobilization, particularly for young people. Building on 40 interviews with members of two organizations representing different configurations of fan activism, this article...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Organization for Transformative Works
2012-06-01
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| Series: | Transformative Works and Cultures |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.3983/twc.2012.0322 |
| _version_ | 1818621917884579840 |
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| author | Neta Kligler-Vilenchik Joshua McVeigh-Schultz Christine Weitbrecht Chris Tokuhama |
| author_facet | Neta Kligler-Vilenchik Joshua McVeigh-Schultz Christine Weitbrecht Chris Tokuhama |
| author_sort | Neta Kligler-Vilenchik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fan activism, forms of civic engagement and political participation growing out of experiences of fandom, is a powerful mode of mobilization, particularly for young people. Building on 40 interviews with members of two organizations representing different configurations of fan activism, this article discusses three emerging elements that are key to the experience of membership in such groups. We suggest that the strength of fan activist groups builds on successfully combining these elements: two that are common to fandom, shared media experiences and a sense of community, and one that is traditionally ascribed to volunteerism and activism, the wish to help. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T18:16:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e001fb6d11ee43d4a686e3f6ca6786bc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1941-2258 1941-2258 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T18:16:54Z |
| publishDate | 2012-06-01 |
| publisher | Organization for Transformative Works |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Transformative Works and Cultures |
| spelling | doaj.art-e001fb6d11ee43d4a686e3f6ca6786bc2022-12-21T22:21:40ZengOrganization for Transformative WorksTransformative Works and Cultures1941-22581941-22582012-06-011010.3983/twc.2012.0322Experiencing fan activism: Understanding the power of fan activist organizations through members' narrativesNeta Kligler-Vilenchik0Joshua McVeigh-Schultz1Christine Weitbrecht2Chris Tokuhama3University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United StatesUniversity of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United StatesUniversity of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United StatesUniversity of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United StatesFan activism, forms of civic engagement and political participation growing out of experiences of fandom, is a powerful mode of mobilization, particularly for young people. Building on 40 interviews with members of two organizations representing different configurations of fan activism, this article discusses three emerging elements that are key to the experience of membership in such groups. We suggest that the strength of fan activist groups builds on successfully combining these elements: two that are common to fandom, shared media experiences and a sense of community, and one that is traditionally ascribed to volunteerism and activism, the wish to help.http://dx.doi.org/10.3983/twc.2012.0322ActivismCivic engagementFandomHarry PotterInvisible ChildrenKony 2012PoliticsYouth |
| spellingShingle | Neta Kligler-Vilenchik Joshua McVeigh-Schultz Christine Weitbrecht Chris Tokuhama Experiencing fan activism: Understanding the power of fan activist organizations through members' narratives Transformative Works and Cultures Activism Civic engagement Fandom Harry Potter Invisible Children Kony 2012 Politics Youth |
| title | Experiencing fan activism: Understanding the power of fan activist organizations through members' narratives |
| title_full | Experiencing fan activism: Understanding the power of fan activist organizations through members' narratives |
| title_fullStr | Experiencing fan activism: Understanding the power of fan activist organizations through members' narratives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experiencing fan activism: Understanding the power of fan activist organizations through members' narratives |
| title_short | Experiencing fan activism: Understanding the power of fan activist organizations through members' narratives |
| title_sort | experiencing fan activism understanding the power of fan activist organizations through members narratives |
| topic | Activism Civic engagement Fandom Harry Potter Invisible Children Kony 2012 Politics Youth |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.3983/twc.2012.0322 |
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