Introduction Post- Jayden Battle

Hello, I am Jayden Battle, a seventeen-year-old who attends NJCU. I was born and raised in Irvington New Jersey, but I moved to Roselle Park a few years back. I'm an activist when it comes to certain things. I speak up for others, and I try my best to voice my opinion on what I deem is correct. I love music with deep meaning, and with lyrics that leave you in an active thought. That's why I favor Jay-Z and Michael Jackson; their words speak volumes. I love to work, the feeling of independence is electric to me because if I work for something it can't be discredited. I also take pride in taking care of my community by doing small things. For example, every Sunday me and my aunt go to Irvington Park and we pick up small trash that's on the ground. I'm really a basic person who just likes clothing, taking pictures, and video games. I'm not an artist by any means, but I am open to learn. 

   Understanding Patriarchy by Bell Hooks

Quote #1: "Although we were often confused, we knew one fact for certain; we could not be and act the way we wanted to, doing what we felt like. It was clear to us that our behavior had to follow a predetermined, generated script."

Short response: In modern day patriarchy, people who don't have high levels of respect of power in society sometimes have to accept the limitations to their lives. This can be shown by living a life with masked emotions or following a "correct" way to live.

Quote #2: "It is no accident that feminists began to use the word "patriarchy" to replace the more commonly used "male chauvinism" and sexism."

                                        Short response: Patriarchy allows feminists to address problems at a deeper level rather than staying on the surface.

What Memes Owe to Art History

Quote #1: "Memes are the democratizing medium of our collective digital present. Easy to make, easy to share; instantly recognizable and a little nonsensical; a hilarious and at times sickly-sweet jab at the world’s blunders, scandals, protests, and hypocrisies."

                                                                                Short Response: Memes are used as a way to send deeper messages with an easy approach. You can appeal to any group in society by the easy, and funny approach. With this tool, it allows people to speak their minds in a playful manner.

Quote #2:"The ephemeral, low-stakes economy of memes re-brands the form as a type of performance rather than a purely visual object." 

Short Response: This quote shows how memes are more about the way the image is expressed rather than it just being seen as a normal visual object. All memes have a deeper understanding than the surface level.

Memes Are Our Generations Protest Art

Quote #1: "Most people interact with these images in fleeting ways as they scroll through their feeds, but creating or consuming political memes that align with one’s point of view can be therapeutic. They reflect what’s happening in society and help justify feelings of rage and fear while helping us feel less alone." 

Short Response: Politics can be a stressful topic, due to the constant criticism of belief of both parties, but a funny meme that aligns with your views can be therapeutic and can reduce stress with the topic. Knowing that you have other people who agree with you with a dash of comical relief can make somebodies day.

Quote #2: "Memes can spread far more quickly than the songs or art projects of previous generations, and there’s such a low barrier to entry that anyone can make them; they can go viral in a matter of minutes."

Short Response: Memes are so powerful because they are so accessible and easy to share. Unlike music, and common art memes can be made in minutes. Age doesn't matter and it just takes a little bit of creativity to make one.