Back in 2017, the world was introduced to the “sunken place” meme, which was inspired by Jordan Peele’s hit horror movie, “Get Out.” The concept of the sunken place refers to a hypnotic state in which the victim is unable to control their actions, thoughts, or emotions. The meme took on a life of its own, thanks in large part to the infamous scene featuring Kanye West in the film.
The Birth of the Meme
After the release of “Get Out,” fans of the film started using the sunken place concept as a way to describe people who were acting out of character or seemed to be under someone else’s control. It wasn’t until Kanye West’s controversial behavior in 2017 that the meme really took off.
West’s support of Donald Trump and his comments about slavery being a choice sparked outrage among fans and critics alike. Many people felt that West was no longer in control of his own thoughts and beliefs, and that he had been hypnotized or brainwashed in some way. This led to the creation of countless memes featuring West’s face superimposed onto the body of the character from “Get Out.”
The Impact on Pop Culture
The Kanye West sunken place meme quickly became one of the most popular and pervasive memes of 2017. It was featured on social media, in news articles, and even on late-night talk shows. The meme was so ubiquitous that even Jordan Peele himself tweeted about it, saying that he was “done” with it.
Despite the backlash, the meme continued to thrive. It became a symbol of resistance against those who were seen as being controlled by external forces. It also served as a way for people to express their frustration with West’s behavior without resorting to personal attacks.
The Response from Fans and Critics
While some fans found the meme to be humorous and cathartic, others felt that it was disrespectful and harmful. Some critics argued that the meme perpetuated harmful stereotypes about hypnosis and mind control, and that it was a form of cyberbullying.
West himself has not commented on the meme directly, but he did address his controversial behavior in a series of tweets in 2018. He apologized for his support of Trump and acknowledged that he had been “used” to spread a message that he did not necessarily agree with.
The Legacy of the Meme
Today, the Kanye West sunken place meme is still remembered as one of the defining memes of the early 2010s. It serves as a reminder of the power of social media to shape and influence public opinion, and of the ways in which pop culture can reflect and respond to real-world events.
Some fans continue to use the meme as a way of expressing their frustration with public figures who they feel are not living up to their potential or who are acting in ways that are harmful or offensive. Others see it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of groupthink and the importance of being true to oneself.
What People Are Saying
Here are some responses from people who remember the Kanye West sunken place meme:
“I thought the meme was hilarious. It was a great way to make fun of Kanye without resorting to personal attacks.” – Sarah, 28
“I think the meme was kind of mean-spirited. It felt like people were piling on to Kanye just because it was popular to do so.” – James, 35
“The sunken place meme was a brilliant commentary on the way that powerful people can be controlled by outside forces. It was a great way to start a conversation about the dangers of groupthink.” – Rachel, 41
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that the Kanye West sunken place meme had a huge impact on pop culture. Whether it will continue to be relevant in the years to come remains to be seen.
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