PewDiePie Under Fire for Racial Slur Used in Recent PUBG Stream

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Shortly after being dropped from both Google and Disney for anti-semitic remarks in a highly publicised video, Felix Kjellberg - better known as PewDiePie on YouTube - has once again landed himself in hot water for not being aware of his audience.

During a recent stream, the highly public YouTube sensation once again took things unnecessarily far by using a racial slur during a dicey moment in the popular PC game PlayerUnknown Battlegrounds. The use of this particular slur was loud and immediate. The stream in question can be found here, though there is a language advisory with derogatory connotations.

PewDiePie is no stranger to these types of controversies, his brand has even incurred substantial damage because of this. With over 57 million subscribers, the public outreach is immediate and though streamers are not expected to be "cookie cutter," it is important to keep the fanbase in mind. This is even more vital in terms of language that has the intent of harm behind it, such as this most recent instance.

Previous instances concerning the public figure have seen similar backlash, including the the reason behind Disney's decision to drop him.

Previous controversies
Back in February, PewDiePie found himself in a similar situation where he was present in a video rife with Nazi imagery alongside two other people holding "Death to All Jews" signs. Rather than immediately apologise, PewDiePie went on the defensive claiming that media has mischaracterized him and that it was simply a "joke gone too far." His apology that followed was not so much for the content that occurred, but sorry that people were offended.

His career hasn't all been critical missteps, he is also known for his strong community and charity work but what is important for figures like him is that once you've accumulated a large following such as his, there is a social responsibility that should always be present. "With great power comes great responsibility," and so should it be with great social media presence.

At the time that this article was written, Kjellberg has not issued a statement regarding the latest community backlash.

[UPDATE]
Firewatch developer Seaon Vanaman took to Twitter with a call-to-action. Vanaman is filing DMCA takedown notices for all Firewatch content with the PewDiePie name attached to be taken down. His statements can be seen below distancing himself, and his company, from Kjellberg:


Posted:
Related Forum: Media Forum

Source: http://comicbook.com/gaming/2017/09/10/pewdiepie-uses-racial-slur-during-pubg-stream/#1

Comments

"PewDiePie Under Fire for Racial Slur Used in Recent PUBG Stream" :: Login/Create an Account :: 27 comments

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ProJimmyRustlerPosted:

Mitochondria
Johnus
Sean I think the Firewatch developer is drunk or high hardly good PR shouting about abusing the DMCA.


Under that much flak, I can't imagine what else pr can say in this situation


Game is going to take a very hard hit afterwards. There are plenty of solutions PR could've took. Letting the dev rant, personally was the worst choice as a first base.


I agree. I would go as far to say that this is a power trip on his end. Just because he makes a game, doesn't mean he has the right to say who can or can't play it.
He even back peddles about to say that they are "Complicit", which is stupid. I think that was the point he realized that this rant was a mistake.

This also seems like a ploy for attention. PewDiePie didn't even say the word while playing this devs game.

16Posted:

Johnus
Sean I think the Firewatch developer is drunk or high hardly good PR shouting about abusing the DMCA.


Under that much flak, I can't imagine what else pr can say in this situation


Game is going to take a very hard hit afterwards. There are plenty of solutions PR could've took. Letting the dev rant, personally was the worst choice as a first base.

SilkyPosted:

KuruptFM Why is PewDiePie even still on Youtube, just an annoying prick with a 12 year old fanbase, i'd rather do a smosh marathon than watch PewDiePie and that's saying something


Not a fan myself but what's wrong with a '12 year old fan base' - assuming you're not 12 yourself that's probably why you find him 'annoying' as he suits the younger generation on youtube.

JxssePosted:

We all say similar shit when we play games. Only difference is most people heard it on a stream.
People love to hate somebody.

MusketPosted:

Pewdiepie has lost his "touch" his videos now are flat out annoying and boring now

KuruptFMPosted:

Why is PewDiePie even still on Youtube, just an annoying prick with a 12 year old fanbase, i'd rather do a smosh marathon than watch PewDiePie and that's saying something

SilkyPosted:

Every gamer has been in the moment and said stuff they don't mean.

-DeanoPosted:

I get that a lot of a younger audience can and will watch Pewdiepie's content but, jesus, people like to blow things way out of the water. There is way too much stigma around the 'n' word; if you aren't saying it offensively towards someone then what is your problem? It's just like saying any other curse like f*ck, sh*t, etc.

DecyPosted:

He obviously didn't mean it lol Sean Vanaman you really are clueless aren't you... How can you stop someone from playing a game on there channel lol it ain't possible what he said has nothing at all to do with the game. Seems like a pathetic dig to get money for himself what people don't get aswell lol he could leave youtube tomorrow and not even have to worry about a thing. I'm not a huge fan of Pewdiepie but f*ck me.

lbreadsticklPosted:

Lmaooooo over that? Seriously this is all happening over that? I'm at a loss.