Pepe the Frog, once a beloved Internet meme, has been categorized as a hate symbol after the Alt-Right movement reappropriated it for its own use, and the character’s creator is a little baffled by this. Matt Furie told Esquire he is confused at how his stoner frog character has become associated with other hate symbols. In a funny twist, Furie said he was a huge Bernie Sanders fan and will be voting for Hillary Clinton in November’s election.
But Pepe’s fate is still a head scratcher for Furie. Ever since Donald Trump tweeted the meme in 2015, the Alt-Right fringe movement, which has turned his message to 11, have used poor Pepe as a beacon to convey some of their messages. Furie said he had nothing to do with Pepe becoming a meme in the first place. The creator said he invented the character just to be a silly representation of the post-college life, but it has since spiraled out of control:
“I’ve seen outrageous stuff involving Pepe online before, but I try not to dwell on it. I blame Trump for all of this, because he kind of looks like this smug Pepe meme. Now it’s just this runaway train. But the people who are driving this train are these anonymous Internet trolls who don’t stand for anything except for nihilism and getting a rise out of whatever racist or sexist or disgusting thing they can do. It’s just an idiotic joke.”
Furie went on to say he isn’t even sure what the Alt-Right movement’s goal is, but said he in no way shares their beliefs. When asked about his reaction to his creation being categorized as a hate symbol, he said it is unfortunate and will only help fuel the group:
“It’s not going to do anything other than give this fringe racist group more attention than they need. I don’t think you can control these manifestations of a cartoon frog online. The whole thing just seems like a cosmic joke from my perspective. I’m kind of just watching it all unravel. I’m trying not to take it too seriously, because once this election is over, I’m hoping it will all be water under the bridge.”
Having your innocent creation be reappropriated for a vile use can sting, but Furie seems to be taking the whole situation in stride.
(Via Esquire)