Your guide to the topics and memes taking over the Internet so far in 2021
By Sara Lawrence
With 2021 now in full swing, many events have already fallen victim to memes and social media trends. Our current chaotic society has allowed creative minds on Tiktok, Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms to bring some joy and laughter in light of these otherwise complicated times. Four of the top social media trends and memes are as follows:
Storming the Capitol
On January 6th, 2021, Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in Washington D.C. in an effort to stop the then looming inauguration of President Joe Biden. This event called for even more political polarization straining our country apart. Liberals and conservatives on both sides expressed their opinions on the matter with controversial memes and others tried to make light of the situation with comedy. They included:
“US Capitol Security when white people riot.”
“How did they get into the capitol? I thought they had security?!”
The security:
“Sorority girls stealing from frat parties like”:
Other comments included:
“Men will literally storm the capital instead of going to therapy.”
“Am I watching CNN or Black Mirror?”
Inauguration Day
Despite the efforts to storm the capitol, President Joe Biden was sworn into office on January 20th, 2021. There were many differing moods from politicians and public figures that were expressed through social media trends and memes. The main politician targeted was Bernie Sanders, one of the Democratic candidates during the election, who looked particularly displeased during the inauguration ceremony. Some examples include:
COVID-19 Vaccine
Some good news has come along with 2021, mostly regarding the emergence and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been finalized and has begun to be administered to healthcare workers, essential workers, the elederly, and others particularly at the top of the chain of risk. However, some people, especially anti-vaxxers, are opposed to taking a new vaccine that we don’t know the long term effects of. The fight between anti vaxxers and supporters of the vaccine has taken over social media:
2021 Mirroring 2020
2020 was a historically disastrous year all around and with the current events of 2021 not bringing much hope for a brighter future right away, social media has been used to recognize the possible continuation of a harder year to come. The most prominent meme is as follows:
