IShowSpeed and Hegemony: An Ideological Critique of Native American Representation in the Speed Does America Tour
Presenter(s)
Julien Ponsolle
Abstract
The media's creation and reinforcement of malignant Native American identities is an expression of hegemonic American ideology. While the hegemony of traditional media is well understood in its shaping of indigenous identity, fewer criticisms have been directed towards increasingly influential social media personalities that constitute the "new media." Further, contemporary indigenous tourism research often considers power dynamics in tourism without consideration for its mediated manifestations. This essay focuses on IShowSpeed, or Darren Watkins Jr., and his highly successful 24-hour, 35-day Speed Does America tourism livestream broadcasted on Twitch and YouTube. Using ideological critique and drawing from ethical standards described in indigenous tourism research, this essay will analyze and evaluate interactions with and around Native American hosts. Readers will understand how online personalities like Watkins can challenge and reinforce ideologically created identities, potentially influencing the way in which their audiences perceive the world.
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department
Communication Studies
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Adam Gaffey
Location
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Start Date
4-23-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
2a=1pm-2pm
Poster Number
51
IShowSpeed and Hegemony: An Ideological Critique of Native American Representation in the Speed Does America Tour
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
The media's creation and reinforcement of malignant Native American identities is an expression of hegemonic American ideology. While the hegemony of traditional media is well understood in its shaping of indigenous identity, fewer criticisms have been directed towards increasingly influential social media personalities that constitute the "new media." Further, contemporary indigenous tourism research often considers power dynamics in tourism without consideration for its mediated manifestations. This essay focuses on IShowSpeed, or Darren Watkins Jr., and his highly successful 24-hour, 35-day Speed Does America tourism livestream broadcasted on Twitch and YouTube. Using ideological critique and drawing from ethical standards described in indigenous tourism research, this essay will analyze and evaluate interactions with and around Native American hosts. Readers will understand how online personalities like Watkins can challenge and reinforce ideologically created identities, potentially influencing the way in which their audiences perceive the world.
Comments
Ponsolle, Julien C