Bright Green. Lowercase imposed Arial font. One word. And no, it’s not “brat” — it’s “kamala.” You’ve seen it, I’ve seen it.
Political memes, reels and TikToks have been blowing up the internet, but not in the way we’re used to. Instead of poking fun at celebrities or sharing edits of your favorite TV cast, memes have morphed into a tool for shaping political opinions and mocking a system that many feel doesn’t represent them.
Memes are how Gen Z grapples with a political landscape where they see no real advocates, just a series of disappointments and broken promises.
So essentially, memes are the 21st century’s version of political cartoons.
Political cartoons reimagined
Political cartoons used to be the rage in the early 20th century, pushing boundaries, provoking thought and — at their best — sparking public debate. They thrived in newspapers, with sharp illustrations and biting commentary, aiming to hold the powerful accountable or satirize the absurd.
Today, memes have taken up that mantle, trading paper for pixels and editorial oversight for algorithm-driven chaos.
It’s easy to see why Gen Z has embraced this new form. With politicians who seem disconnected from the realities of climate change, economic inequality and social justice, there’s a palpable sense of frustration.
Memes offer an outlet — a way to express disbelief, disillusionment and dissent in a format that’s quick, accessible and, above all, shareable. Unlike traditional political cartoons, there’s no need for a platform or permission; just a phone, an idea and a willingness to hit post.
But while these digital quips can be cathartic, they’re not without consequences. The speed at which they spread, combined with their viral nature, can quickly turn satire into misinformation.
The speed trap of misinformation
Memes travel faster than the news. Before journalists can confirm a story, Tiktok has already rewritten it. That’s a problem because unlike traditional political cartoons — created with context and some standard accuracy in mind — memes are often reactionary, crafted in the moment without regard for truth.
Consider the rumor that President Biden was planning to ban gas stoves. What began as a minor regulatory discussion about emissions standards spiraled into a full-blown conspiracy fueled by memes and misleading posts. Within hours, the internet was flooded with jokes about “Biden coming for your stove,” each post reinforcing the false narrative.
The result? Unnecessary panic and deepened distrust in government policies.
This is the dark side of memes as political commentary. They oversimplify complex issues, distorting facts for laughs or likes. When misinformation spreads unchecked, it does more than just mislead — it shapes perceptions and entrenches divisions.
And that has real-world implications, from influencing elections to stoking unnecessary fear and resentment.
Desensitized by digital absurdity
Another issue with memes is what they leave out. While they offer a quick hit of humor or outrage, they gloss over the underlying issues. We’re scrolling past memes about climate disasters, mass shootings and political chaos without pausing to reflect on their gravity.
It’s not just misinformation; it’s desensitization.
Take the recent presidential assassination attempt. America witnessed the first attempted assassination of a sitting or former president with a gun in decades. But instead of processing the implications, the event was quickly overshadowed by memes about the next scandal or viral moment.
It’s the same story with economic inequality or reproductive rights. The memes come, we laugh, and we move on, leaving the real issues buried under a pile of digital debris.
This coping mechanism makes sense in a world where bad news feels relentless. But laughing it off doesn’t change the fact that people can’t afford rent, we are losing access to essential healthcare and our planet’s in peril.
If anything, it numbs us to these realities, making it easier to dismiss them as just another punchline.
So, what now?
Memes aren’t going anywhere. They’re a staple of how we communicate, especially about politics.
And I’m not claiming to be any better at handling this. I laugh, I repost and I use memes to vent, just like anyone else. But maybe this can be a wake-up call: As we scroll and share, we should pause and ask ourselves — are we spreading misinformation? Are we reducing serious issues to punchlines just for a quick laugh?
Memes are fun, but they’re not the full picture. If we want real change — beyond screens and hashtags — we need to think critically about what we post and how to turn that energy into action. Social media is great, but it’s not a substitute for making our voices heard in real life.
A meme might go viral and make us feel better in the moment, but it won’t fix a perpetually broken system.
Julianna Pedone is the News and Managing Editor for The Beacon. She can be reached at pedone25@up.edu.
