Girlboss Satire Trilogy
“Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss” - satirical mantra mocking toxic girlboss feminism - became viral meme (February-May 2021) critiquing white feminist capitalism, toxic positivity.
Origin: Twitter user @cherrysodapop Feb 2021; mocking “live laugh love” with toxic behaviors
Components: Gaslight (manipulate reality), Gatekeep (exclude others), Girlboss (toxic capitalism feminism)
Target: Girlboss culture (Sophia Amoruso, The Wing, Away luggage scandals); toxic workplace culture disguised as feminism
Girlboss decline: Once aspirational (2014-2019), now mockery; exposés of abusive “feminist” bosses
Variations: “Manipulate, Mansplain, Malewife,” endless combinations; template flexibility
Self-deprecation: Ironically claiming gaslight gatekeep girlboss; owning toxicity humorously
Feminist critique: Capitalism co-opting feminism; individual success over collective liberation; white feminism
Aesthetic: Pastel colors, millennial pink, script fonts; ironically using girlboss visual language
Legacy: Killed girlboss unironically; satire became dominant understanding; cultural shift
Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss represents feminist critique via meme - dismantling toxic white feminism through viral satire.
Sources:
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/gaslight-gatekeep-girlboss
https://www.vox.com/