Gender Politics of Social Media

Abstract

Throughout history, a small number of athletes have used their sporting status to engage in social and political activism. Although this was often carried out by black male athletes, women have also contributed to political and social activism. In the twenty-first century, this activism has been aided by the introduction of social media, which provides athletes with a personal platform to communicate with the public. This chapter explores how social media platforms are used for political and social activism through the case study of American soccer player Megan Rapinoe. The chapter discusses the paradoxes and privileges associated with her identity as a successful white woman actively engaging with social media. It outlines the success of Rapinoe's activism in propagating messages into public discourses, aided through coverage from the mainstream media. Conversely, while much of Rapinoe's activism has been welcomed and encouraged, a contingent of responses found on her social media platforms contains a backlash, including personal attacks targeted at her identity as an openly lesbian woman. The chapter concludes by acknowledging how high-profile athletes like Rapinoe are using social media as a space for political and social activism and, thus, help contribute towards rendering some form of progressive change in society.