<div dir="ltr">Thank you Derek for the fasiniating insight into your research. It is fascinating to see how distinct users attempt to build a sense of community online, especially within the context of the 'public' vs 'private' identity reflected online. <br><div class="gmail_extra">Looking through the different blogging communities that emerged in the Arab world in recent years, I came across a </div><div class="gmail_extra">a number of blogs (predominantly owned by women) focused on personal diaries and details about their personal relationships. The concept of having an online public persona that alludes to one's relationship is unique especially in the context of the Arab world where relationships are viewed as a private matter. </div><div class="gmail_extra">This is a new concept I am just starting to explore prompted by Derek's findings on self-representation by women of color! </div><div class="gmail_extra"><br></div><div class="gmail_extra">Now when it comes to online political activism, it is as you indicated Derek, "<i>Online forms of self-imaging is a representational tool commonly utiliized by millenials as a part of their activisim - and we see this type of visualization across the boundaries of cultures and identities</i>" </div><div class="gmail_extra">In the case of the Arab world, the research found a decline in blogging as a whole, however many bloggers maintained their sites without actively blogging and as events unfolded across the region, these bloggers added banners and images that signaled their political identity. In Egypt, the research showed many bloggers and individuals on Twitter signal their politics by adding the <i>Raba'a</i> sign on to their profile pictures. The image of four fingers raised in front of a yellow background, linked the supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood across the globe. These images became significant in bridging this community online, it is also an indication of the shift from being anonymous towards a more public political identity. (Something I had expressed in my last email) Again linking it to the public vs private identites, there has definitely been a shift in the online public sphere and in how individuals are choosing to publicize their political ideologies at a time when it was previously uncommon. </div><div class="gmail_extra"><br></div><div class="gmail_extra">One final point I would like to highlight is linked to the blogosphere and minority groups. One finding has shown a decline (almost disappearance) of blogs linked to LGBT groups from 2009 to present. However, the region has also witnessed a surge of platforms that cater to these communities. These platforms offer the sense of a 'safe and private' space for individuals to belong to a community. Regardless of how I feel about the concept of online privacy these platforms have allowed for a shift in the dynnamics between the private and public online self-expression. While the political trend has shifted towards a more general public expression, some minority groups have chosen a different form of self-representation online. I would be curious to see how that dynamic continues to develop in the Arab World in relation to the new technologies and platforms that are emerging. <br></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br></div><div class="gmail_extra">It was wonderful to be part of this conversation and thank you again Soraya, Derek and Laila for the interesting insights and questions!</div><div class="gmail_extra"><br></div><div class="gmail_extra">Regards, </div><div class="gmail_extra">Dalia </div><div class="gmail_extra">
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