Introduction and Purpose

When we think of a “social movement” it’s easy to think that it’s just an angry group of protesters with signs. Certainly, when you Google “social movement images”, the majority confirm that stereotype. In reality social movements are much more complex - protesters with signs are only one manifestation of something bigger. 

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Definitions of a social movement vary, but each movement has elements in common. For example, John Steckley and Guy Kirby Letts define them as “sustained, organized collective efforts that focus on some aspect of progressive social change” (2007:149). The Encyclopedia Britannica, however, defines it as “collective enterprises acting on emergent ideas or values and endeavoring to bring about change in certain social institutions or entirely new orders” (1976:313). As a final example, Mary L. Gray emphasizes in her article the importance of group identity in a social movement, and the use of “identity to mobilize constituents” (2009:216). Collectively these definitions focus on group identity based on common values, and goals achieved through various actions to direct some kind of change.

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One social movement that you are most likely familiar with is the pro gay rights movement. Homosexuality rights such as same sex marriages have been a trending topic, particularly in the States. But who are the people actively opposed to gay rights? Why are they against gay rights? This brings me to the purpose of this blog. As part of a Cultural Anthropology project, I will attempt to explore the broad issues of the anti-gay social movement in the United States, using the Westboro Baptist Church as a primary example. I have chosen the Westboro group as they are known for being exceptionally vocal, and organized in their anti-gay campaign. This blog will attempt to unveil the motives and meanings behind their cause and actions, as well as discover the origins of the anti-gay movement, through research and application of anthropological principles. 

Works Cited:

Gray, Mary L.

  2009 ‘‘'Queer Nation is Dead/Long Live Queer Nation': The Politics and Poetics of Social                
     Movement and Media Representation," Critical Studies in Media Communication 
     26(3): 212-236

 

Preece, Warren E., ed.

  1974   The New Encyclopedia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. 

Steckley, John, and Letts, Guy Kerby

  2007  Elements of Sociology, Second Edition. 

     Oxford: Oxford University Press.