Messy on the inside: internet memes as mapping tools of everyday life

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the first systematic analysis of memes created by Palestinians in Israel. An analysis of 150 memes reveals how memes are used to reflect on and intervene in Palestinian youths’ navigation of life in mixed cities under prolonged war and colonialism. I analyze these memes at three different levels: global popular culture and politics, in relation to the Israeli State, and Palestinian in-group dynamics. The analysis reveals a divide between Palestinians and Israelis despite living in mixed cities, putting the myth of coexistence in such cities into question. Memes appear to function both in navigating the contested cultural and spatial politics and carving out space in the cultural landscape for youths’ aspirations. I propose a framework that conceptualizes Internet memes as mapping tools of everyday life. I argue that memes map out the social, cultural, and political landscape in which meme makers live and operate, and further reveals the intricate ties between new media technology and the political, cultural, and spatial arenas.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital culture
• memes
• politics
• mapping tool
• Palestine
• Israel

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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Sulafa Zidani

Sulafa Zidani is an Assistant Professor in Comparative Media Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she studies global creative practices in digital civic engagement. Email: [email protected].