Black Meme

In Black Meme, Legacy Russell examines the profound relationship between Blackness and the evolution of meme culture, tracing its influences from 1900 to the present. Through an exploration of both archival materials and contemporary media, Russell highlights how pivotal moments in Black life and death have shaped viral culture in the digital age. Key topics include the impact of lynching postcards, media portrayals of civil rights protests, and the rise of citizen-generated content that reshapes narratives around racial issues. This work underscores the essential contributions of Black individuals to the creation of modern digital culture.