Memes will Guide You Home - Research

This week I am going to take some time to clear up any comments that have come up during these last few weeks. After that, I am going to clarify any other points further before I continue in this process. Then, I explain how my memes exemplify what I am looking for. To finish up this week, I will examine three more memes, showing how they fit into what I am looking for regarding this project.

Clarifying is never easy 

I want to take this time to amend my research question from the other week. My new research question is: what potential cultural perceptions regarding race and gender are aroused when internet memes are made regarding high-profile legislative hearings, specifically the Kavanaugh hearing regarding allegations of sexual assault?

Also, last week I talked about the criteria for selecting memes, and I want to take this a step further. So, the requirements state that the image must be of Kavanaugh at the hearing, the text must relate to race or gender, and that memes are more in the traditional sense (they are not tweets with images on it). The reason these criteria help answers my question is because it is: focused on a clear example of a legislative hearing regarding gender and race, and it was popular and produced a lot of reactions from people that focused on gender and race inequality.

Define and Contextualize 

Now, as a person I understand that there are more than two genders, I do not believe in this gender binary idea. However, in this research all memes thus far have been pitting “men” v. “women”, thus fallowing the gender binary. It is essential to understand that this is what is what I mean when referring to gender throughout the project.

The same could be said for race, except it is “white” v. “other”. Most memes really focus on the fact that Kavanaugh is white and what privilege comes with that, compared to other races. So, once more this is not a full picture of a race but focusing on how one race has privilege over the others.

 Finally, reflecting on the term aroused used in the research question is essential because it allows for that ambiguity. This story did not affect everyone the same way, there could be, and there were various few points. The purpose is to see, what were people saying regarding this hearing.

Right, but consider this?

Looking at my memes, I do believe that because they meet the criteria previously listed they help explore the research question. The reasons my sample works is because they touch on every aspect of the research question, they are specific enough to fit within the confines of this study, and yet still can reach a variety of responses. The memes take an array of sides regarding the emotions evoked regarding this case. They deal with both race and gender, which is a vital aspect of the research question.

Meme It Out

Credit: X

This first example examines how gender played into the hearing and the responses elicited from those on the right, however, this meme seems to come from the left’s perspective. Showing that their opinion sounds irrational. Also, that how the right treat women are not fair or the same in which they treat men in their party. This fits in the criteria, showcases gender, and clearly shows the emotions aroused regarding this case from both sides.

Creidt: Xhttp://politicalpunchline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/women-too-emotional-for-politics.jpg

This second example further explores how women are stereotyped into being too emotional in general, let alone for politics. Once again showing how someone (most likely one who identifies as a woman) feels as though this double standard is not only wrong but false in most cases. Shows how on multiple occasions men in high power positions were unable to remain calm when women in the same moment would have been held to that.

Credit: Xhttp://politicalpunchline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/kavanaugh-look-on-face-768x768.png

The last meme for the week has Kavanaugh front in center, and yet it is the background that speaks volumes. This follows all the criteria but shows how Kavanaugh is not the main focus of what really matters, it is how those behind him (below him if we think about the patriarchy) do not stand behind him and are disgusted with his behavior. It gives perspectives on though not just who was there, how internet users felt in this moment with that caption.