What Do You Meme?

2016 is coming to a close, and the year has been ruled by meme culture. Whether it's Harambe or the Obama-Biden memes, social media has blown up with these snapshots of 'humor.' There are some people who share on a constant basis the latest in the meme-o-sphere. Though sometimes funny, certain shared posts make the sharer appear unintelligent, even if they're well educated.

Yes, I'm talking about political memes.

Often racist, derogatory, slanderous text is strewn across a smiling portrait of someone in the political arena, these images do not help support what you believe. In fact, you portray yourself as a close-minded individual who is unwilling to tolerate or accept those with different ideals than you. Humor is subjective, and is not a valid justification for sharing hateful things NOT covered under freedom of speech like racial slurs and defamation.

Now, this doesn't mean you need to baby step around when posting on your own social media account(s). Becoming offended by every little thing has become the norm nowadays. But you do need to be conscious of what you're posting online. Just like you, others have a right to voice their opinion. Be prepared to have people disagree with what you're sharing or posting. That could be supporting your views, or it could be learning to ignore those people's comments. But they will come.

I've shared a few memes myself, tagged friends in posts, and even saved the really good ones to look back on on a rainy day. It's okay to enjoy a good meme! But just remember: we will never be able to overcome the mindset of racism, misogyny, rape culture, and white supremacy if we won't stop talking about it, making jokes on these issues acceptable, and if we aren't trying to actively change what is happening in society today.

Everyone can post what it is they like on their own social media accounts. Try and withhold yourself from lashing out at others when they share memes that meet the negative criteria of this post, or the negative criteria in your own moral standing. Instead, do something to change the way you would react and in turn, it could change how the people sharing these things conduct themselves online. Please, feel free to argue and defend your own views if they are being attacked. But don't utilize memes or two minute "news" videos to rely on when forming/supporting your opinions, do your research and use credible sources.

Let's change the direction social media has taken over the past few years, particularly 2016, and put our best foot (and best selves) forward.