If you’re a regular viewer of Twitch streams, you may have come across the “TriHard” emote in chat. But what does it actually mean, and why is it associated with controversy?
At its core, “TriHard” is an emote featuring the face of the professional fighting game player and Twitch streamer, Ryan “Gootecks” Gutierrez. The emote is a close-up of Gootecks’ face, with his mouth open and his eyebrows raised in a look of excitement or hype. The emote is typically used in chats during high-energy moments of streams, such as intense gameplay or exciting events.
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However, the “TriHard” emote has also been associated with racial controversy. Some viewers have used the emote to represent a caricature of a Black man, with the open mouth and raised eyebrows interpreted as a stereotypical expression. As a result, the emote has been criticized by some members of the Twitch community as perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes.
In response to the controversy, Twitch has taken steps to moderate the usage of the “TriHard” emote. In 2018, the company removed the emote temporarily and later introduced a new version of the emote featuring Gootecks with his mouth closed. The original “TriHard” emote was eventually reinstated, but Twitch has continued to monitor its usage and enforce its community guidelines.
In conclusion, the “TriHard” emote is a popular Twitch emote featuring the face of Ryan “Gootecks” Gutierrez. While the emote is often used to express excitement and hype during streams, it has also been associated with racial controversy due to its usage as a caricature of a Black man. The emote’s history highlights the challenges of navigating sensitive topics in online communities, and Twitch’s actions in response to the controversy demonstrate the company’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all viewers.
