TY - JOUR
T1 - Experiencing fan activism
T2 - Understanding the power of fan activist organizations through members' narratives
AU - Kligler-Vilenchik, Neta
AU - McVeigh-Schultz, Joshua
AU - Weitbrecht, Christine
AU - Tokuhama, Chris
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
U2 - 10.3983/twc.2012.0322
DO - 10.3983/twc.2012.0322
M3 - Article
SN - 1941-2258
VL - 10
JO - Transformative Works and Cultures
JF - Transformative Works and Cultures
ER -