Black Networks Matter - The Role of Interracial Contact Social Media in 2020 Black Lives

Scholars have long recognized that interpersonal networks play a role in mobilizing social movements. Yet, many questions remain. This Element addresses these questions by theorizing about three dimensions of ties: emotionally strong or weak, movement insider or outsider, and ingroup or cross-cleavage. The survey data on the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests show that weak and cross-cleavage ties among outsiders enabled the movement to evolve from a small provocation into a massive national mobilization. In particular, the authors find that Black people mobilized one another through social media and spurred their non-Black friends to protest by sharing their personal encounters with racism. These results depart from the established literature regarding the civil rights movement that emphasizes strong, movement-internal, and racially homogenous ties. The networks that mobilize appear to have changed in the social media era. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

List of contents

1. Modern social movements; 2. The ties that mobilize; 3. Measuring mobilization; 4. Tie strength and mobilization mechanisms; 5. Movement insiders and outsiders; 6. Beyond the contact hypothesis: mobilizing allies; 7. Conclusion: where do we go from here?; References.

Product details

• Authors: Ray Block, Ray Block Jr, Ray (Pennsylvania State University) Block Jr, James N Druckman, James N. Druckman, James N. (Northwestern University Druckman, Druckman James N., David (Northwestern University Lazer, David M J Lazer, David M. J. Lazer, Katherine Ognyanova, Katherine (Rutgers University Ognyanova, Matthew David Simonson, Matthew David (Hebrew University of Jeru Simonson, Matthew David (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Simonson
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 15.02.2024
• EAN: 9781009475709
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0947570-9
• No. of pages: 94
• Series: Elements in Contentious Politics
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Social education, social work; Non-fiction book > Politics, society, business > Society; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; Media Studies, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Process / Political Advocacy, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Media Studies, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Friendship, Social groups, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Peer Pressure, Digital lifestyle, Family & relationships, Social discrimination & inequality, Relationships: friends / peer groups, Pressure groups, protest movements and non-violent action, Ethnic minorities & multicultural studies, Media studies: internet, digital media and society, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Discrimination, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Race & Ethnic Relations, Black & Asian Studies, Pressure groups & lobbying, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Activism & Social Justice, Racism and racial discrimination / Anti-racism, Relating to African American / Black American people, Social groups, communities and identities