Activism

• The Gale-NACBS Non-Residential Fellowships support research or teaching projects that rely on Gale Primary Sources and use digital humanities (DH) methodologies.
• The fellowships aim to help scholars expand the fields of British and decolonization studies for research and teaching as well as help support early career researchers develop the DH skills they need for future academic success and longevity.
• "The NACBS is thrilled to partner with Gale to provide scholars with the opportunity to incorporate new digital humanities applications into their research in British Studies," said Deborah Valenze, president at NACBS.
• In offering fellowships, to scholars in multiple disciplines, Gale is increasing access to text and data mining tools and furthering opportunities in both research and teaching.

• A recent rise in activism in Iran has added a new chapter to the country’s long-standing history of murals and other public art.
• But as the sentiments being expressed in those works have changed, the government’s view of them has shifted, too.
• They were used to depict scenes of heroism, martyrdom and religious devotion, aiming to inspire national unity and pride among Iranians.
• After the Islamic Revolution overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1979, murals began to convey new political messages and ideological propaganda.

Street art as protest

• Street art emerged as a powerful medium through which individuals could address a wide array of pressing social and political issues, including women’s rights, freedom of expression, political activism and the desire for a life free from the constraints of religious laws.
• Graffiti artists, in particular, played a vital role in expressing dissent and resistance.
• Ordinary people participate in changing the city’s visual landscape by expressing themselves through art.

The government responds

• The rise of protest art in Iran has faced opposition from the government, which viewed these forms of expression as acts of defiance.
• Government suppression tactics in response to murals and expressions of dissent have been alarmingly severe.

• VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NorthWest Copper Corp. ("NorthWest" or the "Company") (TSXV:NWST) (OTCQX: NWCCF) today announced that it has filed an application with the British Columbia Securities Commission alleging certain failures of Grant Sawiak, John Kimmel and Tony Ianno (the “Activist Group”) to make disclosures required by securities laws.
• The application alleges, among other things, that the Activist Group failed to properly disclose joint actor status in connection with this year’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”).
• Most notably, the Company believes that Tony Ianno is part of the Activist Group.
• The Activist Group has confirmed that it intends to use Company funds to reimburse themselves for this costly campaign.

• One notable social commentator is Taffy Theman (Tafadzwa Ngubozabo), who hosts a popular YouTube channel that uses comedy, music and a live news studio to parody the powers that be.
• Another is youth media platform Bustop TV, which offers skits, animation and talk shows to express views on social issues in the country.
• Magamba TV, meanwhile, creates scathing political satires about politicians.
• This signals the effectiveness of the internet and social media as instruments of political activism.

The youth vote

• The 2013 elections saw only 8% of eligible Zimbabweans under 30 registering to vote in a poll characterised by violence.
• The 2018 elections witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of young people registered to vote.
• About 65% of those aged 18-25 and 86% of those aged 26-35 registered to vote.

Social media use

• In my research I’ve argued that due to exclusionary politics young Zimbabweans, especially the urban youth, have turned to popular culture and social media.
• However, there have been debates among scholars about how effective social media can be as a tool for the expression of political dissent.

Taffy Theman

• The 33-year-old Australia-based Zimbabwean YouTuber and comedian Taffy Theman uses mainly parody and satire to offer commentary on Zimbabwean politics.
• He releases videos that range from spoof songs to a live news studio that analyses developments among the ruling elite.

Bustop TV and Magamba TV

• Bustop TV and Magamba TV are social media houses that feature young people who use social media, comedy and satire for political dissent and to caricature political leaders.
• Bustop TV has also gathered young Zimbabweans to hear their views on the 2023 elections, creating The People’s Bus, a talk show format.

Change and Hope

• Despite this, some young voters express a belief that change is still possible and that young Zimbabweans have a responsibility to participate in elections to bring about that change.
• Despite their scathing portrayals, the new social media creators discussed here have maintained a vigorous optimism, urging young Zimbabweans to register to vote or arguing for them to vote for change.