Fighting Misinformation Means Refusing the Meme Wars
Misinformation is a shapeshifter. Sometimes it lies outright, sometimes it flatters our outrage. Either way, freedom depends on refusing its game.
🔧 Torchlight Praxis — Tools you can carry
Earlier today, I came across a meme that’s been making the rounds.
Its intention is to push back on harmful narratives targeting drag performers by pointing out that certain political groups have had more individuals convicted of sex crimes this year.
We saved the image, but we’re not sharing the original post. Why? Because even when we disagree with something, engaging directly with it through likes, shares, and comments helps the algorithm push it further.
We don’t need more virality—we need more clarity.
And here’s the real issue:
Even when a meme aligns with our values, if it distorts the truth, it becomes part of the problem.
Let’s break it down:
The meme tries to defend drag performers by suggesting that others—namely Republicans—are more often convicted of child sex crimes.
But there’s no reliable source that tracks convictions by political affiliation or gender expression.
Turning a few headlines into a “scoreboard” isn’t evidence. It’s narrative spin.
The danger is in the framing.
This logic reinforces the very idea it’s trying to dismantle: that entire groups should be judged by isolated cases, or worse, by the optics of viral media.
So here’s the truth we can stand on:
Drag performers are not statistically overrepresented in sex crime data.
GLAAD, Media Matters, and other watchdogs have debunked this repeatedly. Most of the high-profile claims are either false, misreported, or had no connection to drag events. The “drag predator” narrative is a moral panic—one recycled again and again across generations.
People in positions of power—from all political affiliations—have committed harm.
That’s real. But we honor truth best when we pursue accountability, not weaponized outrage.
Misinformation is a shapeshifter.
Sometimes it flat-out lies. Sometimes it dresses up in comforting outrage.
But no matter its form—if it distorts, it distracts. And these are both tactics of disempowerment.
Like freedom, truth is a practice.
✅ We choose not to mirror the tactics of those we oppose.
✅ We believe the truth tells better stories.
✅ We believe in building clearer maps.
✅ We believe in helping each other see.
Let’s keep that practice alive.
You are the signal.
Keep your torchlight burning.
Explore more from Torch & Tinder Press
📣 Signal Dispatch — Signals from the field
🔧 Torchlight Praxis — Tools you can carry (you’re here)
🔥 Embers — Warmth for the long winter
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