The image features an animated character, SpongeBob SquarePants, reading a book with a perplexed expression. Above the image, the text reads "FEMINISTS:". This text sets the context for the humor the image is attempting to convey.
The book SpongeBob is reading is humorously altered to have two conflicting statements on facing pages. On the left-hand page, it says "MEN ARE TRASH," while on the right-hand page, it says "WOMEN ARE EQUAL TO MEN." The joke here arises from the apparent contradiction between the two statements.
The humor aimed at in the image is derived from the juxtaposition of two opposing viewpoints that are sometimes caricatured as being held by certain feminists. The left page's declaration is a hyperbolic negative stereotype of men that is sometimes seen in extreme discourse, while the right page's statement is a classical feminist assertion that seeks gender equality.
SpongeBob's confused facial expression adds to the comedic aspect as it visually captures the cognitive dissonance one might feel when trying to reconcile these two contrasting ideas. The character's eyes are bulging, and his mouth hangs open, suggesting a stunned or puzzled reaction to the book's contents.
The image could be seen as a satire of the complexity and diversity of feminist thought. It characterizes some of the mixed messages that can arise in passionate social discussions, where nuance is often lost, and positions can be portrayed as contradictory or overly simplistic.
The humor might be funny to people who perceive a tension in modern debates around gender politics, with some people feeling that the discourse can sometimes contain contradictory messages. It can also be amusing to those who appreciate the use of popular culture—like the beloved character SpongeBob SquarePants—for political or philosophical commentary. FEMINISTS MEN ARE TRASH WOMEN ARE EQUAL TO MEN