cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20487558

skin destroyer @gloomingly

(trying to make small talk) notice any patterns lately

2:34 PM - Oct 1, 2024 · 73.9K Views Follow

  • fracture [he/him] @beehaw.orgEnglish
    2·
    3 months ago

    that’s true, but there’s also an argument of resources and conformity to consider. oppressive regiemes also have large amounts of media at their disposal and tend to be very good at issuing orders from the top down, so their ability to define things is pretty strong

    we don’t really… have those things :') so our ability to make an impact isn’t really as great, i would think. and given that, maybe it’s best to recognize and educate people on what the existing dog whistles are, rather than trying to reclaim them?

    • HugucinogensEnglish
      3·
      3 months ago

      I mean, in an abstract sense your concern is valid, but, at least how I see this case, this racist dogwhistle is very fragile, in order to stay discreet, and the meme is very low-stake to use.

      The “battle arena” is also the chaotic “meme market”, where there is much less top-down control too, and individual idea virality reigns king. That is to say, as long as you explain your idea well, as long as your meme “hits a nerve”, it will spread either way.

      To be exact about what I think, I think we should do both: 1. Use the meme as a meme, because it’s fun and dilutes the use of the dogwhistle, and 2. Explain the dogwhistle when we get the chance, without telling people to not use the meme. The explanation helps expose the racists, the meme delivers the antidote.