04/10/2022
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF HATE MEMES
Hate memes are images or brief videos clips specially done with intention to make fun of, to insult or to demean a person or idea.
During the 2020/2021 academic year, it was a trend in the University of Bamenda, Cameroon and other universities, where students were taken photos and videos of at random and funny things written against their pictures which were either insulting, demeaning or derogatory.
This stemmed either from their dress codes or their mannerisms. This however affected these students so badly who were new to the University environment, making them feel rejected, unloved and inferior.
It is a terrible idea and a devilish act to make emotionally crumbled a young person seeking an environment for change and of social ethics. This act alone can do a great harm to a person's life. Let us see some of these harms:
1. It kills self-esteem and demoralizes the concerned.
2. It discourages aspirants of knowledge and the way they may see the University community.
3. It may cause students to get into wrongful acts so as to meet up with social demands.
4. It may pressurize students to try to live above their means there by impoverishing them.
5. Persons concerned may drop out of school as a result of mental trauma and social stigma
6. It is degrading not only to the victim but shows how mean 'intellectuals' could be, bearing such ideas.
7. It discredits our University institution and it may loose its credibility.
8. It's is a form of social disorder and a punishable offense.
9. It destroys the so much talked mutual coexistence making the society violent and unwelcoming.
Let us put an end to this. Change at your little corner by not creating or sharing wrongful contents that may hurt someone or a group of people. A change from you is one memer out of this social disorder. Help change the social stigma and save a life.
You are because I am. Mental and emotional health for all!💪🏽
Faculty of Arts Students Association (FASA UBa).
MBAH JULIUS D. (FASA President)