Memes as Resistance Jennylee Parrales

 

MEME AS RESISTANCE POST

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This meme shows how our politicians care more about creating tax cuts for the wealthy and easily funding wars while ignoring and making our issues worse hence they are drowning In the background, like the little boy, Or are being ignored for far too long like the skeleton .  Memes can act as a form of resistance and advocacy as they can be informative in either, the text that is added or the context that they are including. I believe they become effective when as the article stated “a clear villain” or perpetrator is seen. This can stir up feelings of anger or inspiration to discuss the injustices that are brought up with others or begin your search on how you yourself can take action. It is also really tricky to decode memes and are often times just looked at and swiped away. An emphasis on relatability, facts, and engagement in the meme can make them more effective in their efforts to create a change through someone’s screen. A meme that holds actual context and some assemblance of information will definitely spark conversation in the forums or comment sections it is found on. Although we are able to communicate with each other it may be tricky to understand where to begin your advocacy 

An important reason why memes function as part of protest and resistance is that we can safely oppose injustices from our screen. Often times creating movements in person has no guarantee of safety or virality. A contrary instance during the Black Lives Matter movement I had seen was when people began to post blacked out screens to create some sort of solidarity with the movement. This essentially created a blackout of the information that was vital in organizing this movement, creating the opposite effect instead of advocating it seemed to block out the movement as there was no real engagement.

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Patriarchy is a social system where men predominately hold power and authority, which has negatively affected everyone by promoting toxic masculinity and strict gender roles. Activism is the action one takes towards making positive change in typically social, political, or environmental issues. Systems of power are meant to give us the idea that there is an order in which things must go. My first thought of power is having a boss that may use their power over you in the workplace and has the opportunity to strip you from your position as in many power systems the individual is not often recognized as valuable. In our readings, and in my own life, I have seen adults, treat children as less than simply because they are smaller, and they either cannot provide for themselves or defend themselves. This aspect can become very dark as children can experience various levels of abuse or neglect due to this power imbalance. As a woman certain politicians, believe it is their responsibility to dictate what I do with my body and have tried to create more restrictions towards our own autonomy. Another system of power I had seen is the political corruption in my hometown where the mayor has been in power for roughly 40 years and forces the community workers such as teachers, police, etc. to vote for him or lose their jobs, as well as casting votes for deceased residents. I think the latest passings of the big beautiful bill and the SCOTUS green light to racially profile Latinos are more ways these systems of powers are negatively effecting our communities. 

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By riding the line between political expression, which is often repressed in China, and art, which is tolerated and even celebrated, these artistic activists carved a space to safely protest within an authoritarian regime. 

These spaces to safely protest are very important in every part of the world, especially in places where an authoritarian regime is prevalent. Being able to create this conversation of political expression under the guise of art is amazing as you can reach many onlookers or even publications/officials that may not understand the depth of the social commentary. This demonstration of artistic activism fortunately contrasted the enforcement and the brutal suppression of peaceful dissent in the Tiananmen square protests.

These traffic mimes roamed the streets of the capital in brightly colored clothes and painted faces, mocking, and shaming, pedestrians and drivers using the centuries, old art of pantomime. 

I think this is a hilarious way for a mayor to create change in his town. I have been to South America many times and I have definitely seen how street signs are ignored and drivers appeared to make their own rules. I think we can definitely use these tactics here in Jersey. The pedestrians and drivers here definitely need a similar treatment to follow the street signs and reduce the accidents that happen