The Simpsons, Kamala Harris, and the Future of America: A Meme-Filled Journey to the White House
In the chaotic landscape of a US election year, even one as bizarre as this one, we expect candidates to make appearances everywhere, attempting to shape the nation’s future. However, rarely do those campaigns happen at Comic-Con, and even more rarely are they linked to the depths of Simpsons brainrot. Yet, that’s exactly what happened when Simpsons and Futurama creator Matt Groening capped off the SDCC Simpsons panel with a surprise clip from none other than Vice President Kamala Harris.
During the recording, Harris quoted a legendary line from the classic 1996 special, "Treehouse of Horror VII": "We must move forward, not backward, upward, not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom." While some reports claim the audience believed the clip was recorded for the panel, with Harris absent from San Diego, others suggest it’s a resurfaced video from years ago, showcasing a group of University of Chicago students successfully getting a politician to recite the infamous quote.
This line originates from the "Citizen Kang" skit, the third and final part of "Treehouse of Horror VII." The short features the recurring Simpsons aliens, Kang and Kodos, infiltrating the 1996 US Presidential Election, swapping places with nominees Bill Clinton and Bob Dole. These interstellar impostors participate in rival campaigns before seizing control of America, even after being exposed, due to the limitations of the two-party electoral system.
But Harris’s potential campaign has already become inextricably intertwined with Simpsons memes and online humor, even before her surprising Comic-Con appearance. Recently, the resurgence of a meme surrounding Harris’s potential as the first female President of the United States has juxtaposed her with the 2000 episode "Bart to the Future." This episode’s vision of the near future includes adult Lisa Simpson, wearing a purple pantsuit, as the President of the US, facing a budget crisis inherited from President Trump. This image is then compared to pictures of Harris, also sporting a similarly colored suit, at Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2020.
This connection begs the question: Is America ready for a President whose mind is as infused with Simpsons quotes as the average thirty-something? Perhaps we’re about to find out.
This isn’t the first time The Simpsons has prophetically predicted events, further fueling the meme-worthy connection. Just as the show accurately foretold the 2000 presidential election and the ultimate rise of Donald Trump, the show also foreshadowed the Disney-Fox deal years before it happened. The uncanny accuracy of these predictions further intertwines the show with American politics and social consciousness.
But why The Simpsons of all things? The show’s enduring popularity lies in its ability to satirize American culture, politics, and societal norms with humor and wit. This often includes poking fun at the nation’s political landscape, highlighting its absurdities and hypocrisies. The show has become a cultural touchstone, embedded within the very fabric of American life, making its influence easily understood and relatable.
Furthermore, the Simpsons have cultivated a distinct cultural identity, a language of its own that permeates our daily discourse. Jokes, catchphrases, and iconic moments from the show have seamlessly woven themselves into the American vernacular. Using The Simpsons as a touchstone for discussing political figures and national events reflects a shared understanding of pop culture and allows for a playful yet insightful analysis of political situations.
This playful approach, however, doesn’t necessarily diminish the seriousness of the political landscape. While utilizing The Simpsons to discuss potential presidential candidates can seem lighthearted and even frivolous, it also reflects a growing trend of political discourse moving online and taking on a more meme-based, humorous, and sometimes satirical tone.
The rise of online political humor, often utilizing memes and references to pop culture, serves as a form of engagement for young audiences, who are increasingly disillusioned with traditional political discourse. This new, more accessible, and less formal approach allows for easier access to political commentary and discussion, breaking down traditional gatekeeping mechanisms and allowing for more diverse and inclusive voices.
But the meme-ification of politics isn’t without its drawbacks. The reliance on humor and pop culture references can sometimes dilute the gravity of important issues, leading to a potentially detrimental focus on entertainment over substance. This trend also faces criticisms for its potential to trivialize complex political matters and foster a culture of apathy towards meaningful political engagement.
Ultimately, the use of The Simpsons in this context is a reflection of how American politics has become intertwined with pop culture. This phenomenon highlights the changing dynamics of how people engage with political discourse and provides a lens for examining the growing power of social media and internet humor in shaping public opinion.
Whether this meme-filled foray into the world of presidential politics ultimately helps or hinders the political discourse remains to be seen. However, the prevalence of The Simpsons throughout this journey highlights the show’s cultural significance and its ability to serve as a satirical commentary on the state of American politics. Perhaps, in our increasingly surreal and politically charged world, a little bit of Simpsons humor might just be what we need to navigate the complexities of the future.
