Concepts from “yarning circles and social media activism”

Carlson, B. (2018). Yarning circles and social media activism. Media International Australia. (pp. 43–53)

- This article talks about what yarning circles are and how they relate to Indigenous online activism, as well as draws “political conceptualization of ‘yarning circle’ through a reading of Paolo Freire’s work on conscientisation” (Carlson, 2018, p.43) and shares stories of indigenous activists.

- Indigenous peoples are facing all kinds of discrimination and oppression post colonialism, where they are excluded from democratic participation and many other aspects of life.

- Indigenous peoples use social media platforms to criticize and resist racist stereotypes, through forming online communities that resist government policy and the politics exercised against them.

- Campaigns launched through social media have proven how much these platforms can play an essential big role in the fight for change.

- The concept of a ‘yarning circle’ was created to bring indigenous online activists together to share their challenges and experiences in a safe space, where everyone is equal and without any judgments, as well as actively work on politics.

- “Yarning” is an Australian term but the same concept of the circles is found in other countries for indigenous peoples.

- Paolo Freire’s work on conscientisation focused on “becoming aware of our own political agency” (Carlson, 2018, p.47) and liberating through education and learning.

- Educating and learning about equal power relations and democracy is essential for liberation. This knowledge is widely achieved through sharing the stories and speaking about the problems indigenous peoples are facing.

This article is talking about a great example of media activism; the indigenous peoples who are doing their best on social media platforms to resist criticism and oppression.