Week 7: Refining Meme Research

After a discussion with Dr. Campbell last week, I re-searched for someone or an event, hoping that the study could be more specific. Finally, I decided to study  Harvey Weinstein.

In October 2017, The New York Times and The New Yorker reported that dozens of women accused American film producer Harvey Weinstein of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse over a period of at least 30 years. More than 80 women in the film industry have since accused Weinstein of such acts. Weinstein denied "any non-consensual sex". Shortly after the reports, Weinstein was dismissed from The Weinstein Company, expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and other professional associations, and disappeared from public view.

My research explores the theme of gender related to how memes construct networks of feminist critique and response, mobilizing the derisive laughter that energizes current feminisms.

This will be done by exploring how Harvey Weinstein and related people are being framed online through memes commenting on events related to the release of reports his sexual harassment in Hollywood.

My proposed research question is: How feminists use memes to shape feminism on the internet, especially in controversial events, such as the sexual assault of famous Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein？

In order to answer this question, I will study 10 Internet memes related to how Harvey Weinstein, as a representative and icon of the Hollywood producer, text reference his sexual assault.

 Below are two another examples in which I will include within this study.

This memes first presents a long-standing statement of women's injustice "rumors that you have to sleep with someone to get a job", but the answer is "Yes". Harvey Weinstein turned this long-standing unfair rumor of female gender discrimination into reality. The feminist responded to this in a critical tone.

 "Hollywood has the best moral compass" is what Harvey Weinstein once said in an interview. He has long claimed that Hollywood is a fair place with ethical standards. But the truth is Harvey Weinstein as a Hollywood Executive thats been accused of sexually assaulting woman for more than two decades. Feminists show Harvey Weinstein's words and deeds in a different way. Ironically, Harvey Weinstein trampled on the moral bottom line.

These two memes show the feminist dissatisfaction and accusation of sexual assault through a positive critique of Harvey Weinstein. They highlighted this accusation through irony, which will be explored in more detail in my study.