Memes, Media, and Meaning: Racial Discourse in Digital Popular Culture

Abstract

In the age of social media, digital platforms have become central arenas for the negotiation of race, identity, and cultural meaning. Memes—ubiquitous, shareable, and often humorous images or videos—serve not only as entertainment but also as vehicles for social commentary, including racial discourse. This paper explores the intersections of memes, media, and racial narratives in digital popular culture, analyzing how these forms of communication shape, reinforce, or challenge societal perceptions of race. Drawing on critical race theory and media studies, the research examines the dual capacity of memes to perpetuate stereotypes and to facilitate counter-narratives that resist dominant racial paradigms. By investigating meme culture across platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, this study highlights the complex ways in which digital media mediates race, humor, and public consciousness.