Jaden Hogan                    Here are two quotes from each reading, along with a short reaction to each:

1. “Understanding Patriarchy” bell hooks

Quote 1:

“Patriarchy has no gender.”

Thoughts:

This statement challenges the common misconception that only men uphold patriarchy. It highlights that both men and women can perpetuate patriarchal norms through cultural conditioning. Recognizing this helps shift the focus from blaming individuals to understanding systemic oppression and how it operates across all genders.

Quote 2:

“Patriarchy promotes insanity. It is at the root of the psychological ills troubling men in our nation.”

Thoughts :

Hooks argues that patriarchy is damaging not just to women but also to men, causing emotional repression and toxic masculinity. This resonates with modern discussions on mental health, where rigid gender expectations prevent men from expressing vulnerability, leading to emotional struggles and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

2. “What Memes Owe to Art History” Artsy

Quote 3:

“Artists have been remixing, repurposing, and riffing on each other’s work for centuries, much like meme creators do today.”

Thoughts :

This draws an interesting parallel between classical art and modern meme culture. While memes may seem trivial at first glance, they continue the long tradition of artists borrowing and adapting ideas, proving that digital humor can be a legitimate form of artistic expression.

Quote 4:

“The format of a meme simple, accessible, and instantly understandable mirrors the role of traditional iconography.”

Thoughts:

Memes, like religious or political iconography in history, convey complex ideas quickly and effectively. This suggests that memes are more than just entertainment; they serve as a cultural shorthand for shared beliefs, much like paintings and sculptures did in the past.

3. “Memes Are Our Generation’s Protest Art”  Vice

Quote 5:

“Memes are a way to visually distill complex ideas and feelings into something immediate and shareable.”

Thoughts:

This highlights the power of memes as a form of communication, especially in activism. Unlike traditional protest art, which requires galleries or physical space, memes spread rapidly through social media, making political commentary accessible to a wider audience.

Quote 6:

“A meme might not change the world, but it might change someone’s perspective.”

Thoughts:

This underscores the subtle but significant impact memes can have. While a single meme may not cause large-scale societal change, it can plant a seed of thoughts, challenge assumptions, and contribute to broader cultural shifts over time.

Who am I?

 I’m no activist, I normally just keep all my opinions about stuff of that manor to myself, I’m 1 of 3 children on my mothers side and one of five being the youngest on my fathers side. I enjoy playing volleyball and staying active. Apart from staying active I’m also heavily invested in the men of color initiative here at NJCU as one of six first founding members. I’ve never really been into art much until I got to college and fell in love with it, the story behind the art, the meaning and all stuff of the sorts. I don’t really have any art that I specifically made myself about social justice but I do have a specific piece  that grasped my attention.

Would you like me to refine or expand on any of these reactions