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In the early Internet days, cat memes were among the first forms of digital entertainment but now they might be a sign of racism.
How is that possible? Well, let’s start with CNN’s Dana Bash, who accused Republican Vice Presidential nominee J.D. Vance of racist undertones in a tweet that said “Keep the cat memes flowing.”
Watch:
We’ve reached the stage where cat memes are now racist.pic.twitter.com/naS71O96SI
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) September 10, 2024
But she wasn’t the only CNN personality to express their displeasure with the latest cat memes, Brian Stelter also chimed in:
“Migrants are stealing and eating pets” is both a racist lie AND a meme. People like the owner of this website are spreading the claim and laughing about it at the same time – further poisoning the info environment. pic.twitter.com/kJirbJ90aQ
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 10, 2024
“It’s a meme and a conspiracy,” he explained. “These people can always say ‘Oh I’m just joking, we’re just having fun’ but they’re also pushing a racist lie.”
He then goes on to accuse those sharing the memes of “shouting the lie so loudly that they’re hoping their feelings will only be heard.”
Watch:
These right-wing entertainers try to shout so loudly about their feelings that no one will pay attention to the real facts. pic.twitter.com/jnGUFTcDVd
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 10, 2024
The memes, usually AI-generated images of kittens, puppies, ducks, etc., are being shared in response to a story about Springfield, Ohio residents claiming Haitian immigrants are taking beloved animals from the community, including potentially pets, and using them as a food source. The media has vehemently denied that this is happening, accusing those discussing the story of having some kind of racial animus toward the African migrants.
Still, X commenters are not to be deterred:
Brian. Since you’re a journalist how about doing an honest in-person investigation? And start from the position that you know nothing and work out from there (like reporters used to do).
— Kira (@RealKiraDavis) September 10, 2024
The way you all are denying it confirms it’s 100% true. We’ve been down this road before
— souparmon (@souparmonTN) September 10, 2024
You guys cried wolf so many times on the wrong thing that people don’t believe you anymore ♂️
— bedpost (@Cmin914725641) September 10, 2024
If Brian Stelter says it’s false, then it must be true.
— Anthony Fauci, Director of the NIH (PARODY) (@DaRealTonyFauci) September 10, 2024
How do we trust it’s not true? I mean why would you verify it? What’s the end game?
— Lucy☕️ (@Momma3wife) September 10, 2024
I’ll be interested to see your interviews with residents of Springfield, OH. Can we expect to see it soon?
— Reine (@ReineDeTout) September 11, 2024
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