This entry explores the internet phenomenon known as the “As A Former Street Meme,” a catchphrase and reaction image that gained traction online.
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Dive into the details of this meme, including its origins, spread, and the controversial figure unexpectedly linked to it.
Unpacking the “As a Former Street Meme”
The “As a Former Street Meme” is rooted in a tweet from January 2022 by X (formerly Twitter) user @chickenjorhe. Commenting on rapper Lil Durk’s social media hiatus, @chickenjorhe posted, “As a former street nigga myself, I know what dat means.” This seemingly innocuous tweet ignited a meme trend when X user @Toriquex1 replied with an image of a young boy in a prayerful pose, echoing the phrase “As a former street nigga myself.” This combination of text and image quickly resonated online, amassing over 7,000 likes and 600 reposts within two years.
Teflon Sam Jan 13, 2022 @chickenjorhe. Follow X Lil Durk deleted all his socials. As a former street n—- myself, I know what dat means Jed! @Toriquex1 Follow
From Tweet to Reaction: The Meme’s Online Journey
The “As a Former Street Meme” rapidly evolved into a popular reaction image across X and Reddit. It became particularly favored as a humorous retort to mock individuals, especially white users, perceived as inappropriately using the N-word online. A notable example occurred in November 2023 when X user @Koma_Swirlious used the meme to respond to a tweet containing the N-word, garnering hundreds of likes and reposts.
In April 2024, the meme’s visual component was further solidified when Redditor attentionseeker69420 posted the image of the praying child with the caption “as a former street myself.” While this specific Reddit post didn’t gain significant traction, it demonstrated the meme’s established visual association.
AS A FORMER STREET N—- MYSELF
The Ethan Crumbley Connection: A Dark Turn for the Meme
The “As a Former Street Meme” took a darker and more controversial turn in May 2024. TikTok creator @charleybournetruecrime, known for true crime content, released a video about the tragic Oxford High School shooting of November 2021. The video shockingly revealed that the child featured in the meme was Ethan Crumbley, the perpetrator of the school shooting. This revelation connected a lighthearted internet meme to a real-world tragedy, sparking widespread discussion and unease online. The TikTok video exposing this link quickly went viral, accumulating hundreds of thousands of views and likes within a single day.
@charleybournetruecrime these cases absolutely break my heart #truecrime #truecrimetok #truecrimetiktok #truecrimetiktoks #crimetok #crimetiktok #crimestory #truecrimecommunity #truecrimestory ♬ Creepy horror ambient(1022762) – howlingindicator
Examples of the “As a Former Street Meme” in Use
The meme’s virality is evident in its widespread use across social media. Users often employ it as a reaction to online posts perceived as trying too hard to be “street” or edgy, or in situations where someone is exaggerating their past experiences. The meme’s humor comes from the juxtaposition of the serious-sounding phrase with the innocent image of the child.
Conclusion: From Online Humor to Unsettling Reality
The “As a Former Street Meme” began as a piece of internet humor, leveraging a specific phrase and image for comedic effect. However, the unexpected revelation of the child’s identity as Ethan Crumbley has fundamentally altered the meme’s perception. It now carries a layer of discomfort and raises questions about the ethics of using a picture of a school shooter, even unknowingly, in online jest. This meme serves as a stark reminder of how internet culture can intersect with real-world tragedies in unforeseen and unsettling ways.
References
[1] X – Toriquex1
[2] X – Koma_Swirlious
[3] Reddit – attentionseeker69420
[4] TikTok – charleybournetruecrime
