Freedom of expression, aspiration and gender: A cultuling in the student demonstration

Abstract

During demonstrations, people voice their aspirations to the government. On April 11, 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, millennial and Gen-Z students led widespread protests in several Indonesian cities. This study examines Indonesian student demonstration slogans using the conceptual model of cultuling analysis. The research data originated from demonstration posters from higher students posted on Twitter and X. A total of 73 posters contained a mix of Indonesian, local, and foreign phrases. These posters were widely circulated on social media “X" and went viral among netizens. The conceptual model of cultuling analysis, which encompasses delivery, emotional, and cultural values with 16 parameters, was used to analyze the data. The demonstration slogans incorporated humor, sarcasm, and references to popular culture. Slogans were often written in all caps, including social media hashtags. Men and women demonstrators style their messages differently, but both express shared feelings of frustration and disappointment with the government and its policies. Speech acts that used creative linguistic strategies, emotional expressions that ranged from anger to satirical critique, and cultural values that reflected complex societal dynamics of power, gender, and social resistance. Mixed languages and popular terms reflect linguistic diversity due to globalization. Men tended to use more direct language, whereas women used examples from their everyday lives. Recognizing sexist undertones in certain slogans underscores the importance of gender sensitivity in public discourse. Therefore, sexism in some slogans highlights the need to increase gender awareness in public and political communication.