Examining Political Online Humor as a Tool for Gen Z Activism
Madalyn Dotson
BIO: I’m from Puyallup, Washington! While at Whitworth, I’ve been a part of ASWU as an Incoming Class Representative in 2024-2025. Additionally, in the entire time I’ve been at Whitworth, I have been a part of the nationally recognized forensics team (speech and debate). While on this team, I was recognized as the top JV student in the Northwest region (Orv Iverson Award) as well as the national champion overall JV IPDA Debater for 2026! At the national speech and debate tournament, I was also awarded “Rising Star” in 2026. I also co-founded Whitworth’s first Model United Nations team and helped organize Whitworth’s first ever conference in San Diego. Some other activities at Whitworth that I’ve participated in have been Jubilation Dance Ministry, Swing Dance Club, Kpop Club, Gaming Club, and more. Opportunities at Whitworth have allowed me to briefly work as a Research Assistant for the Universal Periodic Review-Other Stakeholders Engagement Dataset as well as work during the 2024 November election with the Associated Press to be an Election Vote Entry Operator. I’m excited for my journey next year with my political science internship as well as a study abroad trip in Japan
MAJOR: Peace Studies
Minor: Political Science
Project Overview: In September of 2025, youth and Gen-Z individuals in Nepal overthrew their corrupt government through a series of protests and riots. They voted for their interim prime minister through Discord, and throughout the protests, the world saw Gen-Z laughing and joking their way through a major historical event. Gen-Z has been nicknamed the “unserious generation”, but in Nepal they also led the movement that led to a significant change in government. This begs the question of how this will inspire other Gen-Z protestors and activists across the world. How does Gen-Z view violence as an actor for change? Do they use humor as a tool, strategy, or a way to cope? How necessary is humor for Gen-Z’s activism? In my academic project, I explored these questions by looking at a variety of examples all over the world, with a focus on Nepal. As someone who is Gen Z, loves memes and humor, and is interested in political activism, I think that this project is important to see how young people are actively changing the world around them.