These infographics played a significant role in the process of me realizing the only person who is able to define my sexuality is me. When I was younger, I never felt ‘queer enough’ to be able to be allowed to call myself bisexual and there are a lot of incorrect stereotypes that held me back in embracing my identity. I do want to note that ‘coming out’ is a problematic term to begin with as if your sexual identity is something you should hide and then tell other people about, where cisgender heterosexual people do not have to do that. These specific Infographics have helped me a tremendous amount on a personal level, with my own coming out as a bisexual person.
Consequentially they are becoming a direct agent in defining the discourse around their existence, illustrated by the examples in Fig 1-6. Through Instagram infographics, the bisexual community is currently informing peers and having discussions about their identity and experiences. The bisexual identity, with all its ambiguities and stereotypes is a perfect example to address the political need for defining.
INFOGRAPHIC DEFINITION FREE
The infographic, which was previously a top-down tool made by specialists such scientists and journalists where complex data was visualized, has been democratized and simplified into an aesthetically pleasing viral image (usually in pastel colors) that usually consist of texts, slogans and illustrations – according to Berman, anyone with an Internet connection and basic understanding of free editing tools has the capacity to create and widely share information now.
Owen Jones, in his article about millennials and generation Z turning their backs on capitalism, also illustrates that political information being shared in a simplified way on social media has opened users’ eyes about political issues such as race, identity and class – of which Instagram Infographics are a perfect example. According to her, Instagram Infographics are uniquely capable of transmitting information and are therefore a powerful political tool. Hannah Berman claims that the Instagram Infographic trend, that emerged in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, should receive more attention. In order to change that norm from an oppressive into an inclusive one, marginalized groups are currently taking their agency back by defining themselves, instead of being defined by the status quo, using Instagram Infographics as their weapon of choice. And those who have to power to define decide what the norm looks like. Language and definitions are present in all aspects of our society, and therefore it is important to investigate the underlying power structures in defining accepted terminologies. Language is power. Michel Foucault explains in The Order of Things that human language is a demonstration of the human mind which slowly changes through time and through cultural exchange, just like the cycle of human beliefs. Until these issues are resolved, we, unfortunately, still need definitions to be able address these issues adequately. However, various stigmas that have tactical consequences for marginalized groups are very much present in our society. Who would not want to live in a world where people are not put in box and could live without a label? A world where humans would just be humans? It would be a dream to live in a utopia where definitions and categorizations are no longer needed. “Visibility which makes us most vulnerable is that which also is the source of our greatest strength to define ourselves, name ourselves, and speak for ourselves, instead of being defined and spoken for by others.” – Audre Lorde Blog: Value and Limits of Instagram Infographics: On Marginalized Groups Reclaiming their Power to Define
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