Week 9 : A Second Look

I set forth to answer the question : “How are memes regarding US political figures dismissive of women/men who are survivors of sexual assault and also defensive of these unacceptable behaviors?” I specifically chose this question in light of the Brett Kavanaugh case that was concluding during the time of writing my research. However it was on the heels of two previous high profile incidents, those of Donald Trump and Bill Cosby, and I now feel like they are also to be included in this study. I have found myself particularly interested in the dismissive nature of the memes towards their cases, portraying an ideology of “above the law” for politicians and celebrities. This research question I believe needs to be revised in order to make it clear that the issue is that of the men holding power positions, rather than their elected positions. It is the power structures they exist within that allow for dismissive behaviors towards accusers and events, not their political title. I seek to address this below.

By combining these three men’s cases I believe I can better answer a question that examines sexual assault by men in positions of power within American society. Furthermore, many memes cross reference these cases, in an interesting twist and comparison tool to the similarity of the cases. I believe there is something to be examined here about the power celebrities hold within our society, often having more impact than a politician on public opinion. In this regard I believe treating the issue as men in power, rather than a more selective category of politicians will be beneficial to this study.

Figure1

Figure 2

Figure 3

One of the most important themes that I felt needed to be examined after self reflection on my topic is that of the long standing history of allegations within our society among dominant figures. Kavanaugh, Trump, and Cosby are certainly not the first men to be accused sexual assault or misconduct, but are rather just the newest wave.  

Figures 1 and 3 lay out a concept that accusations and illegal behaviors are simply par for the course in American Politics. The first image proposes that Donald Trump is simply following i the footsteps of famous US politicians, John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton with accusations of affairs and sexual assault respectively. While the meme is actually a dig at Trump, it illustrates and almost explains away is behavior as simply a normal thing to be expected out of the office of the President.

Figure 3 portrays supreme court justice Clarence Thomas smiling at the viewer with obviously imposed wording (not his own). It is inferred to be directed at Kavanaugh during the hearings to offer some support that he too had dealt with “false” accusations from “they/them”(inferred to be democrats). This divisive meme portrays an idea that democrats and Dr. Ford are simply making up their stories in order to block republican appointees. This dangerous ideology perpetuates a counter argument against the systemic sexual misconduct as some sort of democratic conspiracy to throw dirt.

Figure 2 cross references Donald Trump and Bill Cosby in an implied phone call. This meme was posted during the hearings of brett kavanaugh, when it was uncertain of his confirmation. This memes suggests that Donald Trump needed a backup for supreme court nominee, and called upon Cosby to fill the position. The inference is that Trump is selecting only those with tendencies of sexual misconduct fo the highest court in America. This crossover of two other people in positions of power in regards to the Kavanaugh case is an interesting reference that shows just how systemic issues of sexual misconduct have become in american society, and particularly in positions of power such as politicians and celebrities.