Pokimane responds to backlash after another video resurfaces containing racial slur

Twitch streamer Imane ‘Pokimane’ Anys responded to a horde of criticism after a video of her repeatedly using a racial slur surfaced on March 4.

The clip of her using the slur appeared after Pokimane cleared up a separate occasion of her seemingly using the same word on stream. While the clip in question is old, it’s much less ambiguous than the previous time the controversial streamer was accused of using the slur.

In her response to the video containing NSFW language, Pokimane said it was difficult to contextualize why she used the word but attributed the incident as a result of her age at the time and the environment that gave the slur a different meaning.

The streamer was direct in distinguishing her character today as opposed to when the video took place, saying she would never use the slur where she is now.

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“Hard for me to speak on this clip’s context because it’s so old (I’m almost 23 and was underage in that clip),” Pokimane said. “But it was definitely not said in a racist or derogatory manner. it was a time period/environment where saying it was more common and used as a replacement for ‘dude.’ It’s been many years and I don’t ever say it now because I realize it’s distasteful and looks bad, and i’ve never said it in a racist way / hard r either (just in a cringey way unfortunately)”

Pokimane has been steadily growing her platform for years, but sporadic controversies are bringing negative attention to the streamer.

Similarly the streamer addressed the previous incident, brought up by Keemstar of her allegedly using a racial slur saying: “I said ‘this anivia’ (sounded like ‘this nivia’), aka a champion in league of legends. smh when u found out keem is a fake gamer.”

People were overwhelmingly siding with the streamer in both instances. In the old clip, people recognized the word’s use and noted how it wasn’t said in an offensive manner while suggesting to just move on from the incident.

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Although the streamer unquestionably owned her actions from years ago, some were hesitant to vindicate Pokimane since her response seemed to lack an apology.

Pokimane has been at the center of many controversies lately, and will look to press on with the support of her fans and fellow creators.