Memes As Resistance _ Bell

 

Classic Bat-slap to stress the frustration of discussing systemic patriarchy. Many men, and women, especially influencers will push this ideology that the concept of the patriarchy isn't real or is some sort of conspiracy meant to keep men down. Very similar to Bell Hooks' discussion of how people are governed by the patriarchy, and rather than push against it, perpetuate it in its different forms - whether it be through not acknowledging it, pointing the blame to others and pushing down, or worse.

This one deserves more context! I wasn't going to make a second one, but after being shown a TikTok I needed to. Apparently, there is an alpha male podcaster who has been spewing rhetoric that "real" men shouldn't be using public restrooms. Only women and weak people use public restrooms. Know what happens when you don't relieve yourself when you need to? Hemorrhoids and requiring an outfit change! This bring to attention Hooks and her discussion of how women are not only affected by it, but men too. It cripples them emotionally and mentally, forcing them to establish new rules on how masculinity should be perceived or even how they should react to it. (Click here to see the clip of this weirdo)

★ While memes may appear visually simplistic, they allow for the creation of narratives that could range from satire with absolutely no real meaning to ones that were created with the intention of challenging a socio-political injustice. This form of "art", accessible to anyone, allows for everyone to share their perspective on sociopolitical matters and participate with others on the discourses that take place within the communities. As written in Vice's Memes Are Our Generation's Protest Art,

 "They reflect what’s happening in society, and help justify feelings of rage and fear while helping us feel less alone." 

The accessibility of memes also allows for creators to retain anonymity as needed while boosting their voice as they engage in discussions that reflect on current events and criticize oppressive systems. Not to mention their ability to go viral as they are using created to circulate throughout social media, though most have been printed and used as signage at protests. This alone furthers their ability to garner widespread attention and reach a wider audience who may feel validation in shared experiences, in fostering communities meant to encourage others to join in discussion in order to learn more, or serve as an entryway to raise awareness and mobilize as a form of resistance. 

➡ What is the patriarchy?

Bell Hooks defines patriarchy not as just a singular system of oppression, but as an umbrella term for what she considers to be an interlocking system of domination that functions simultaneously effecting not just women or children, but men as well, through its roots in white supremacy, capitalism and the ideologies found within patriarchal structures. To Hooks, it is a "social disease" meant to systemically assign gender roles at birth, indoctrinate males through force in order to understand pain and violence yet denies them the access to regulate emotions through repression, while promoting sexism and subjugation against women, children and weaker men. It is a system that forces the ideology of men being all dominating and superior, as long as they have power, and is unfortunately not just a singular entity confined by men as it can be maintained and perpetuated by women. 

The Art of Activism: Chapter One

☽ "Throughout history, the powers-that-be have stayed in power by having a monopoly on knowledge." (pg. 22)

The book itself provides examples for this quote from the Medieval Church suppressing knowledge and limiting access to it unless it came from the priests or religious figures, to China's elite Mandarin class being the only ones allowed access up to modernity with totalitarian governments and their restrictions on media as well as banning of them and artists. History never fails to repeat itself, if not stay in a perpetual cycle of reenforcing the habit of denying knowledge to all. We see much of this monopolization occurring in real time with the consistent buying and selling of data across social media platforms, the censoring of information on them and even through the news combined with misinformation meant to instill fear and doubt. This monopolization thrives on the uneducated and ill-informed to sustain their falsehoods to ensure obedience and conformity.

♤ "In our world, the sublime is in the service of capitalism and hierarchy." (pg. 27)

Art exists in everything, from the clothes we wear, the things we consume to the architecture around us. While much of it is able to invoke a response from us, it's impact is more connected to capitalism and the unequal power structures that are put forth in our society. If you wanna admire the work of painters within a museum, there's a fee. The majestic skyscrapers or buildings that tower communities may look nice, some not all, they displace many of the low-income families and underprivileged members of said communities. Art without an impact for "good" is just fuel for consumerism.