The recent PC release of The Last of Us has caused quite a stir in the gaming community, with players and fans alike taking to social media to voice their outrage over the character of Joel. Many have accused the character of unintentionally wearing blackface, leading to widespread calls for his cancellation.
The controversy began when players noticed that Joel’s character model was entirely black for absolutely no reason at all, sparking accusations of racism and insensitivity. Social media quickly exploded with angry tweets and posts, with many fans demanding that Joel issue a formal apology and make the necessary changes, as users posted scathing comments and memes condemning the Austin, Texas native.
As the controversy continued to gain momentum, the internet’s army of gaming keyboard warriors took up their virtual pitchforks and joined the fray. Hashtags such as #CancelJoel and #JoelIsOverParty began trending, as players vented their fury and called for justice to be served.
Even Joel’s staunchest defenders were left speechless, unsure of how to defend the character’s appearance in the game. Some pointed out that he was a fictional character and that this glitch or bug was only momentarily while also pointing out that this unintended result was not meant to offend anyone. Others, such as Salt Lake City resident Abby Anderson, have argued that Joel Miller had a responsibility to be more sensitive to issues of race, representation, and debugging. After the unexpected death of her father, Abby believes this is the tipping point and is placing all her anger on Joel.
As the controversy continues to rage on, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Joel Miller and The Last of Us franchise. Perhaps Joel can take some personal time off for self-reflection and can perhaps come to the realization of the impact caused by his actions. Perhaps a game of Golf can settle things. One thing is for sure, though: this scandal has left a dark stain on the beloved character and the game that fans have come to cherish.