Friday, February 8, 2013

Vlogs, Web Series, and Black Studies


By Kacee Aldridge

Vlogging, a combination of  web logging by way of video production or a video blog, might, at some point in the near future, become an even more common form of online expression. With the search term ‘vlog’ returning nearly 2 million results on YouTube, it is safe to assume that this medium has quickly been incorporated in to the social media discourse.

Particularly, vlogs that specialize in Black hair care have quickly gained popularity. These vlogs, featuring tutorials, product reviews, and transitions into natural hair provide a convenient way for African American women to connect and accomplish a common goal of thoughtful hair care.

In terms scripted programming on YoutTube, Issa Rae, creator of the popular web series Awkward Black Girl, has gained substantial notice and offers a model for future possibilities of low-budget video production. During a CNN interview when asked about the future of online video, Rae replied “For minority content creators, this is the way to go; there are no gate keepers on the internet…”

With its nearly unlimited freedom of expression, vlogging and programming on YouTube provides outlets for video journaling, web series production, and also the development of a sense of community and entertainment for viewers.

Related:
Future Histories project

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