Cyber Feminism. A postmodernist term used to describe the philosophies of a contemporary feminist community whose interests are cyberspace, the internet and technology. This term was introduced in the early 1990s and over the years has brought much progress in the feminist movement. Hash tags have been created such as #TheFWord, #YesAllWomen, #AmINext, #HeforShe, and many more. Common questions have been, does Cyber Feminism really bring feminist topics to the forefront or do they become overshadowed? Is it really effective and bring conversation or are the issues silenced and ignored? And finally, does the internet network hurt or help the feminist movement?

I believe that it’s a start and that it has definitely paved the way for the future that lies ahead. It has brought awareness on current and past issues, has informed and connected the world on social realities and most importantly has begun an important dialogue. Cyber space has become a huge space of networked individuals and has become a space for the world to share their thoughts, voices and perspectives on everything from something simple to hard pressing issues existing in all parts of the world.

As a young Indigenous woman living in Canada, I felt it was important to focus on what is happening in my own backyard that surprisingly a lot of people don’t know about. There are over 1200+ cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous women in Canada and most of these cases are unsolved and have been for years. Indigenous women are 3 times more likely to experience violence in their lifetimes then non-indigenous people.

I believe that the “Am I Next” campaign is a powerful stance and public outcry to raise a bold awareness on the reality that exists here in Canada. It is a way to show our communities and the Canadian government the constant fear us as indigenous women face and women alone in general. With a news story almost every day of a young women being attacked, gone missing or even murdered, we definitely start to question. It’s a frightening reality.

The hash tag, “Am I Next” began a dialogue on this important issue; it gave the silent a voice and ultimately brought a greater awareness to not just Canada but the rest of the world. I believe hash tags such as this and other internet conversations are a great platform to share ideas, thoughts, perspectives and individual stories. Although it may bring a lot of criticism, a lot of hurtful words and other negative connotations toward what is supposed bring positive change it still gets the world talking, it still gets the world engaged in a global conversation on what needs to be talked about.

I think Cyber Feminism definitely has its advantages and disadvantages but the fact that these topics, issues and celebrations are being discussed is a great start toward tackling change.  This is just a start to a very long road ahead, more than just hash tags on twitter, marches through streets or even blockades across the country must be done. Although all of those have begun the journey to reawakening the world and boldly getting the word out there it’s important to understand that we have much more work to do in order to start seeing change. We need to break down barriers, continue to share our stories, unite as a world, change our perspectives and create a better future for all future generations.

Thank you for reading,
Written by: Shanley Spence
http://anishanaabe.wordpress.com