Culture

Aidan Austria

The Virality of Internalized Racism: Social Media Trends and the Reproduction of Anti-Asian Stereotypes

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Aidan Austria is a fourth-year Professional Communication student at Toronto Metropolitan University with a minor in Sociology. With experience in digital content creation, strategic storytelling, and research analysis, he has developed strong skills in social media strategy, UX/UI design, and professional writing. A recipient of the Jacqueline Atkins Award, Aidan is passionate about exploring how communication shapes culture and influences how people connect and engage. Known for his creativity, analytical thinking, and multidisciplinary approach, he is eager to pursue opportunities in creative ideation, marketing, and public relations, where he can contribute to meaningful and impactful work.

This research examines how internalized racism appears in viral social media trends and contributes to the reproduction of anti-Asian stereotypes online. By analyzing social media artifacts such as videos, comments, and audience interactions, the project explores how stereotyping humour created by Asian influencers can normalize racial prejudice while gaining widespread engagement. Social media algorithms often reward this content by amplifying posts that generate high levels of interaction, increasing their visibility across platforms. As these trends continue to circulate, repeated exposure can lead to desensitization, making harmful stereotypes appear more acceptable and reinforcing ongoing cycles of racial representation in digital culture.

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