MEMES AS RESISTANCE - CAT

More and more men today are realizing that it is normal to experience emotion; ironically they're so unfamiliar with said emotions that it's as if they've discovered fire for the first time and want to "mansplain" it to everyone.

↳ How can memes act as a form of resistance & advocacy? 

Memes can act as a form of resistance and advocacy by constantly showing up. One of the quotes I had used in my first blog post was,

"Even if you're scrolling past quickly, the point resonates",

(Memes Are Our Generation's Protest Art, VICE). With the advantages, and disadvantages, of social media today, there's constant, new information being pushed out. Some might argue that it's even recycled, but with younger people, their attention spans are basically zero to none. It's as easy as a quick scroll, read, and scroll; but if it hits you hard enough, it stays. It's like a never ending sea of content. With how quickly things can get shared or reposted, the word spreads. Sometimes even faster than we think. The more platforms they appear on, the bigger the number. That number multiplies not only through comments and shares, but realistically around the world. A good example of it, is the fact there's people in Europe or Asia that are in tune with our politics here in the states. That's all thanks to memes.

↳ What is patriarchy?

Patriarchy, as bell hooks explains it, is an ideology that says men are dominant to all those deemed weaker such as: women, children and other men. It promotes insanity all around, but especially within men, by enforcing "rules".It causes a form of separation, and that leads to the polarization of people making it easier to control the flock. These interlinked systems of power (white supremacy, capitalist, patriarchy), shape our society by reinforcing one another. They determine who has access to resources, authority, and safety. White supremacy gives whiteness privilege, capitalism = profit over people, and patriarchy makes male dominant in society. Through laws, workplace, media, and cultural norms it affects things like wages and healthcare.

 

The Art of Activism: Your All-Purpose Guide to Making the Impossible Possible|

Steve Duncombe and Steve Lambert

"When used by activists, the phrase 'stepping off the curb' refers to the moment that one leaves the sidewalk and enters the street to join a protest, but in a broader sense it means making the step from passive indifference to active engagement"

 This reminds me the phrase "a stepping stone", or milestone. It's a point in one's life where they realize there's more to this. One of the first things that stood out to me because of it's simplicity, yet it goes much deeper than that. It truly becomes an awakening almost when you realize how you suffer and how those around you suffer as well. On top of it all, is recognizing the system at play and the pyramid of suffering in place. One step forward starts the revolution within yourself. 

 "...being active just seemed the natural response to the conditions of her life"

Realizing how differently society shapes everyone comes with questions. Why? Why can't a black, lesbian, woman live as freely as a straight white woman, or man? Intersectionality easily slips through the cracks when it comes the "rules" set in place by these interlocking systems. As mentioned in class, we punch down the pyramid, it became a way to divide everyone as a whole. These systems have existed for centuries, so it's become engraved for generations to live accordingly, while others are barely aware.