The Joker in Iraq’s Tishreen [October] Protests

Abstract

This article explores how the cultural symbol of the Joker, from the 2019 American movie Joker, first unfolded during the 2019 Iraqi Tishreen [October] Revolution as radical-gradual creative imagery both shocking and contested among Iraqi activists. Considering the visuals as modes, I argue that they first emerged as antenarrative, open to multiple interpretations. The antenarrative quickly transformed into a derogatory label perpetuating a dehumanizing anti-protest narrative by dominant powers and their militias. ‘Axis of Resistance’ media channels in Iraq and Iran have transformed the Joker label into a weapon, framing the protest movement as a narrative of grand conspiracy with the West and consequently justifying the violent crackdown by security forces. Iraqi activists then reclaimed the label in an attempt to defy that narrative. The linguistic reclamation could not erase the parties’ narrative. Instead, the two narratives have continued to compete, triggering another set of polarized labels.

The Networked Trolling of Critical Journalists and News Organizations in Iraq

“…Currently, the Iraqi Supreme court has filed a legal case against Al Tae for his criticism (Salim 2022), denoting the pervasive influence of these militias in the Iraqi state (Figure 3). Al Taei is often portrayed online as a joker, a pejorative term taken from the 2019 Joker movie that is used to demean activists and journalists showing them as foreign agents and puppets seeking chaos (Mustafa 2022). In early December 2022, a well-known Iraqi activist was imprisoned for merely insulting one of these militias on social media (BBC News 2022), clearly showing the influential outreach of these militant groups on Iraq's judiciary.…”

All About Iraq: Re-Modifying Older Slogans and Chants in Tishreen [October] Protests

“…Growing anger over political parties was translated into concrete action as demonstrators burnt their headquarters and offices in several provinces in the south. Simultaneously, the protest marked a mounting fury over Iran's interference in Iraq's affairs as Shia protestors highlighted the 'Iraqiness' of their identity 'as opposed to political leaders, whom they see as loyal not to Iraq but to an interfering Iran' (Mustafa, 2018). Like the previous episodes, 2018's demonstrations were violently repressed (Ali, 2021).…”

“…Contrary to the previous two movements, the 2018's protest cycle unfolded as spontaneous, organic, and leaderless. Initially driven by water shortage in Basra province and constant power cuts amid unbearable heatwaves, the demonstrations quickly transformed into a rising against the post-2003 status quo (Mustafa, 2018). One of its main chants was nmut 'ashra, nmut miya, any qaful 'al qadhiya [10 of us would die, or 100 of us would die, I won't give up the cause].…”