Meme Watch: Chav Wolf, an introduction to a subculture
We've previously discussed how memes can express dissent in international communities. We saw how Czech activists show their opposition to Václav Klaus by portraying him as an idiot. We've noted that Venezuelan bloggers show their Anti-Chavez sentiment with the help of the Kanye meme. We've also investigated the recent attack on Berlusconi and his subsequent attack on Facebook.
We'd been looking at global assholes through the lens of the individual, now for the first time we'll look at the asshole through the lens of the collective.
The denizens of the United Kingdom are not just knights, notable indie rock bands, and respectable businesspeople. There is a side not shown by conventional media, a youth subculture of aggressive teenagers addicted to name-brand track pants, and trance music. The Chav.
The stereotypical chav, closely resembles the American, Guido. If a chav were to appear on the set of Jersey Shore, he would be virtually indistinguishable from the cast members. Like the Guido, the chav is an item of ridicule from outside the subculture.
Chav Wolf reflects anti-chav sentiment by employing a meme. These image macros are based on Courage Wolf. Said wolf, instructs gazers to attempt dangerous things for the sake of bad-assedness. In the case of Chav Wolf observers are advised to express themselves like ignorant chavs. The wolf is superimposed over an English flag, and wears traditional chav garb, an askew baseball cap.
As an American, how might Chav Wolf be important to you?
Now that you are aware of the chav, you can discuss the him. Say you just happened to be sitting at a bar in London, and you notice a chav outside the window. You could mention this to the respectable businessperson to your right. He'll probably laugh in agreement and then buy you a beer. Congratulations, you just saved £2.50. Knowledge is power.
We'd been looking at global assholes through the lens of the individual, now for the first time we'll look at the asshole through the lens of the collective.
The denizens of the United Kingdom are not just knights, notable indie rock bands, and respectable businesspeople. There is a side not shown by conventional media, a youth subculture of aggressive teenagers addicted to name-brand track pants, and trance music. The Chav.
The stereotypical chav, closely resembles the American, Guido. If a chav were to appear on the set of Jersey Shore, he would be virtually indistinguishable from the cast members. Like the Guido, the chav is an item of ridicule from outside the subculture.
Chav Wolf reflects anti-chav sentiment by employing a meme. These image macros are based on Courage Wolf. Said wolf, instructs gazers to attempt dangerous things for the sake of bad-assedness. In the case of Chav Wolf observers are advised to express themselves like ignorant chavs. The wolf is superimposed over an English flag, and wears traditional chav garb, an askew baseball cap.
As an American, how might Chav Wolf be important to you?
Now that you are aware of the chav, you can discuss the him. Say you just happened to be sitting at a bar in London, and you notice a chav outside the window. You could mention this to the respectable businessperson to your right. He'll probably laugh in agreement and then buy you a beer. Congratulations, you just saved £2.50. Knowledge is power.
