Downy has NEVER looked better! -_- Why? Because instead of using the original image, someone thought it'd be hilarious to paste a picture of someone with Down Syndrome on the front of the label of the detergent bottle. I surfed the 'net for this image and found it on a website where I viewed some of the responses to the image. It was interesting seeing how many people thought this was funny, how some people were going to "share" it on Facebook, how many people did not understand the "joke", and how mane people were upset that this was done (1 person). Of course, in comes the "Oh, it was a joke"/"Lighten up"/"Stop being so uptight" remarks, but I'm fine with that...because laughing at the expense of someone else isn't something I seek time to do or agree with. This "joke" has the ability to affect a numerous amount of individuals dealing with Down Syndrome, individuals related to people with Down Syndrome, and anyone that seeks the right to accept and acknowledge beautiful people who possess anything remotely "different than" what society deems as "normal" from the physical and mental aspect. Because this image reiterates the possibility of making someone with DS feel as if they are significant, only, when they are the center of a "joke". Because posting things like this makes it okay and easier for it happen again...with anyone. This "funny" meme takes an L and a seat (throws chair).
Our runner up: The Cotton Meme
This will be brief. It's foul enough our history books and courses leave out (or edit) some of the actual events, figures, and changes that have taken place. Yeah, I just went there. It's insane that many minds are fed information in reference to history and don't inquire about or respect things that have occurred, but I'm certain all of us (if not all...a nice number) are familiar with slavery. You know slavery, right? Where humans are under the possession of someone else and are forced to work (with extra cupcake sprinkles of other duties) while dealing with limitations, inequalities, and unjust actions? Yeah, that. Maybe that will help with understanding how this meme is also offensive. We laugh and take it lightly-forgetting (or not really caring) that pickin' cotton actually existed as a form labor for individuals of a certain race. And the kid's face (in the front) makes the meme even more comical, but what about the history behind the image? Although we may not know the exact races of every young person in the image, could the caption in the meme not only make light of slavery and forced labor, but also speak about the perceptions made about the intelligence towards people of the African and African American/Black race/culture? Perhaps, this will be my fault for bringing up these images and sharing the issues? Maybe I'm over-reacting or not "letting go" of the past, but I won't. Had there been an image making light of eugenics, the Holocaust, the kidnappings of children, the mistreatment of Native Americans...or anything else, I'd be just as serious...because it IS serious. Take another L meme-team. Make your memes, but make them with consideration.
With Realness,
B. Elae
No comments:
Post a Comment