>>23021838Pepe the Frog is an internet meme that originated in 2008 from the webcomic "Boy's Club" by Matt Furie. In its original context, Pepe was depicted as a laid-back, anthropomorphic frog.
It gained widespread popularity on internet platforms like 4chan in the early 2010s, initially used in various humorous and relatable contexts. However, the meme was subsequently co-opted and used by alt-right and white supremacist groups. This led to its association with racist, anti-Semitic, and other hateful imagery.
In 2016, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) designated some versions of Pepe the Frog as a hate symbol. Its creator, Matt Furie, has publicly condemned the misuse of the character and has actively worked to reclaim its original meaning, asserting that Pepe is a symbol of peace.
Despite these efforts, Pepe the Frog continues to appear in a wide range of contexts, from benign online humor to extremist communication, making its current interpretation highly dependent on the specific imagery and surrounding context.
