230367 Indigenous TikTok: Native American Activism on Social Media (S) (WiSe 2023/2024)

Indigenous peoples in the United States have been marginalized and discriminated against to the point of becoming almost invisible in dominant cultures. For centuries, they have been fighting against systemic mistreatment and injustices while trying to save rich and complex tribal histories, practices, and also their languages from extinction. In this effort, the Internet has become a crucial tool to connect and educate. Especially social media are spaces where Native American cultures are shown to be alive and kicking, with activists becoming vocal and visible. Some channels and accounts have millions of followers across the globe who learn from and support this activism in typical social media style.
In this class, we will critically engage with the Internet and social media as spaces of connection and education and become more aware of Native Americans' history, their diversity and position within mainstream US society. We will then turn towards a selection of social media accounts by indigenous activists and discuss their strategies, materials, and messages in detail.