Uh, 4chan. An internet community famous for leaked nude photos of celebrities has decided to respond to the current global disaster for no other reason than to become the troll king of the internet. The latest 4chan meme is Ebola-Chan, an animated representation of the Ebola virus (yes, you read that right). Because what's funnier than an internet meme mocking the highly contagious disease that has killed more than 2,000 people in West Africa?
According to the Washington Post , the Ebola-Chan virus originated from the 4chan post /pol/, a politically incorrect message board. Ebola Chan is promoted as some kind of viral anime goddess. Dressed in a white nurse uniform, the pink-haired character resembles a fairy crossed with Death, bringing about the Ebola virus and ultimately death. 4chan users should respond to Ebola-Chan with honor and praise: "I love you, Ebola-Chan! Thank you!"
By all accounts, "Ebola-Chan" is likely a disgusting piece of fan art created by someone who didn't fully understand the devastation and severity of the Ebola epidemic. But somehow, somewhere along the line, Ebola-Chen developed into a full-fledged conspiracy hoax. Soon, 4chan users began posting racist comments and conspiracy theories whenever Ebola-Chan appeared in posts. A popular conspiracy circulating in the boardroom is that Ebola was created by white people to destroy all countries in Africa.
Considering some of the comments, it seems like some 4chan users really want to cause trouble:
If we persist, soon some African media will report this and people will start spreading the word that Ebola may be spread by white devils, and that will be enough to help the Ebola sauce.
According to Vocativ, the 4chan user's strategy worked. When the Ebola-Chan virus spread on the Nigerian message board Nairaland - presumably with the help of 4chan - conspiracy theories took firm hold. Nairaland users began posting about how Western countries deliberately spread Ebola to West Africa and used "voodoo magic" on Ebola victims through the mysterious Ebola Chan.
Nairaland's post, titled "White devil worshipers [sic] trying to use witchcraft to spread Ebola," called Ebola Chan "the new racist cult in Europe and America" and posted about the alleged Ebola epidemic. Photos of the Holy Land of Bora Chan.
Nairaland user johnokonkwo wrote:
They hate Africans and worship the Ebola demon, whom they call "Ebola-Chan." They performed magical rituals to spread disease and kill people. They used blood sacrifices to target the areas they wanted to infect next... Apparently even some Ebola doctors were part of a cult who, instead of treating the disease, deliberately spread it. I've even heard rumors that they eat the hearts of their victims because they think it provides magical protection, although I don't know if that's true
As ridiculous as it sounds, anything can go viral on the Internet—and the Ebola-Chen conspiracy theory certainly did. Of course, according to Vocativ, 4chan users who lacked guidance responded with delight. "Keep the racist stuff coming" must be 4chan's motto.
seriously? 4chan has caused enough fear, unrest, and disruption due to Ebola. We don’t need viral meme hoaxes to incite more fear.
Image: 4chan (2), Abnormal Art
