I think blogs can be about anything, I think they can represent all that you list. I think, however, there is a perception around blogs as not serious (and, surely, many aren’t but it’s all very subjective) and certain understandings around blogs have to do with racial, class and gender inequalities. And if they aren’t, that is..if it’s sort of equal, the blogs that win prizes and whatever…all of that looks like the rest of society, like whites are on top, etc. When you look at Mommy Blogs (and why have that particular phrase, people use it sneeringly), it’s all about who we think is a good picture of a mom and all that bs reflects how we use that bs in offline life.
Anyway, I am all for blogs, at the end of the day. I think it can be used as an important tool, to give a voice to those who aren’t usually given that voice. But, again, it’s sometimes a matter of access and not all have an access to a computer, internet or to the kind of marketing that would get readership. My blog has no readership. I write it for all parents, really but I don’t do anything to promote it. I think I have 5 people that follow it and even they don’t really comment on it. I repost it on FB, and then more people comment. I write about parenting my kids to be critical of gender and sex binaries and put down conversations I have with them on these matters. I’ve used my blog as an inspiration for my academic work, as well.
I also publicize it on my fluther profile but I don’t think that’s ever gotten me any readers.