Choose five hashtags that represent significant parts of who you are in relation to global culture. Each hashtag should be paired with 75 words

In a world shaped by digital communication, hashtags have become global symbols of identity, resistance, belonging, community, and commerce. They connect the individual self to global movements, cultural dialogues, and algorithmic realities. For this final assignment, you’ll create a #HashtagBiography that explores how your digital self reflects and participates in global narratives. Note that these don’t have to literally be hashtags you’ve used, but reflections of your likes and interests, especially on social media. Your Task Choose five hashtags that represent significant parts of who you are in relation to global culture. Each hashtag should be paired with a minimum 75-word reflection that unpacks: What the hashtag means globally (its movement, trend, or cultural moment), Why it resonates with you personally (identity, experience, values), How your use or awareness of it connects you to broader systems (algorithms, social media, digital tribes, consumer culture, activism, etc.) Examples Hashtags with Descriptions: #ClimateStrike This hashtag connects me to a generation grappling with eco-anxiety and climate action. I remember first seeing it during Greta Thunberg’s school strike, and it made me think differently about how one voice could ripple across continents. As someone who recycles and composts, I used to think I was “doing enough.” But digital exposure through #ClimateStrike showed me systemic change matters more than individual virtue. The hashtag reminds me that we are part of planetary networks — and our stories are linked. #BookTok Even though I don’t post much on TikTok, #BookTok deeply shaped my reading life. It’s wild how an algorithm can know I love speculative fiction and queer authors, and then connect me to readers across the world. I’ve picked up novels by Indian, Korean, and South African authors just because they showed up on my feed. In some ways, my personal taste has been globalized. I now see myself as a literary citizen, not just a student of American lit. #CleanTok At first glance, #CleanTok might seem like just a trend, but for me, it’s become a way to approach self-care and mindfulness in a digital age. The hashtag shows the global obsession with cleanliness, order, and routines that extend beyond just physical space — it’s also about mental clarity. On #CleanTok, I’ve seen people share how cleaning helps reduce stress, improve their moods, and create a more peaceful environment. Personally, I relate to this because I’ve found that cleaning my room can sometimes feel like cleaning my mind. I’ve also realized how much #CleanTok reflects the consumerism that’s tied to our global digital culture. The pressure to buy the “latest” gadgets or products to maintain a perfectly tidy space is often amplified by influencers and algorithms. In a way, my engagement with this hashtag ties me to global trends of minimalism and eco-consciousness — sometimes as a consumer, other times as an advocate for sustainable living. The more I scroll, the more I see how global forces shape even the simplest aspects of my life, like organizing my closet or trying a new eco-friendly cleaning product. #CleanTok gives me a glimpse of the way small daily rituals are connected to larger global ideologies about consumption, wellness, and self-care.