It’s been almost a decade since the death of Harambe, the gorilla who was shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo after a child fell into his enclosure. But even today, Harambe memes continue to circulate on the internet, bringing humor to a tragic event. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of funny Harambe memes, exploring their origins, their impact, and some of the most popular memes to come out of the phenomenon.
Table of Contents
The Origins of Harambe Memes
Shortly after Harambe’s death in 2016, a wave of memes began to circulate on social media. At first, the memes were simple jokes about the gorilla’s death, but soon they evolved into something more complex. The memes began to take on a life of their own, with people creating elaborate images and videos that paid tribute to Harambe in a humorous way.
One of the most famous Harambe memes was a photoshop of a sign at the Cincinnati Zoo that read “Rest in Peace Harambe” with a picture of the gorilla. This image quickly went viral, and soon other memes began to pop up all over the internet. Some of the most popular memes included Harambe as a superhero, Harambe as a presidential candidate, and Harambe as a deity.
The Impact of Harambe Memes
While Harambe memes were certainly controversial, they also had a significant impact on the internet. For many people, the memes were a way to cope with a tragic event, and they provided a sense of humor in an otherwise dark time. The memes also brought attention to the issue of animal rights and the importance of protecting endangered species.
However, the Harambe memes also had a negative impact. Some people felt that the memes were disrespectful to the gorilla and to his memory. Others felt that the memes were in poor taste and made light of a tragic event. Despite the controversy, the Harambe memes continued to spread, and they remain popular even today.
Popular Harambe Memes
There have been countless Harambe memes over the years, but some have stood out as particularly popular. Here are a few of the most memorable:
The Harambe Dicks Out Meme
Perhaps the most famous Harambe meme of all time is the “Harambe Dicks Out” meme. This meme originated from a tweet by a user named @boburnham, who tweeted “rip harambe, you were taken too soon. dicks out for harambe.” The tweet quickly went viral, and soon people were sharing pictures and videos of themselves with their pants down in honor of Harambe.
The Harambe as a Presidential Candidate Meme
Another popular Harambe meme was the idea of Harambe running for president. The meme featured images of the gorilla with slogans like “Harambe 2016: A Candidate We Can Believe In” and “Harambe: He Died For Our Sins.” While obviously meant to be humorous, the meme also highlighted the frustration that many people felt with the 2016 election.
The Harambe as a Deity Meme
Finally, there was the Harambe as a deity meme. This meme portrayed Harambe as a god-like figure, with images of the gorilla in religious poses and settings. While some people found this meme offensive, others saw it as a humorous way to pay tribute to the fallen gorilla.
Response to Harambe Memes
There has been a wide range of responses to Harambe memes over the years. Some people find them hilarious and a great way to cope with a tragedy, while others find them disrespectful and in bad taste. Here are a few responses from people who know the Harambe meme well:
“I think the Harambe meme is hilarious. It’s a great way to bring some humor to a dark situation.” – Sarah, 24
“I don’t really get the Harambe meme. I think it’s kind of disrespectful to make fun of a dead animal.” – Mike, 31
“I think the Harambe meme is a great example of how humor can be used to cope with tragedy. It’s a way for people to come together and find some common ground.” – Emily, 27
Conclusion
Love them or hate them, Harambe memes have made a lasting impact on the internet. They’ve brought humor to a tragic event, raised awareness for animal rights, and provided a way for people to cope with loss. Whether you’re a fan of the memes or not, there’s no denying that Harambe will always hold a special place in internet history.
