The Collapse of Jungle Freaks
The Jungle Freaks non-fungible tokens (NFTs), created by George Trosley, have taken a nosedive—losing around 80% of their trading value faster than a stock market crash during a pandemic. This sudden decline can be attributed to a series of racist cartoons by Trosley that made their way across social media, igniting an outrage among collectors and casual observers alike.
Outrage from the Community
As the offensive illustrations surfaced, many NFT participants voiced their disapproval. Among those reacting was Elijah Wood, the famed actor from the Lord of the Rings. He expressed his disgust, stating, “I was made aware of some of the artist’s disturbing prior cartoons. Upon learning this, I immediately sold the NFTs as I wholly denounce any form of racism. I have donated the funds from the sale of the NFT to LDF and Black Lives Matter.” Talk about turning your profits into a positive action!
Trosley’s Non-Apology?
In response to the controversy, George Trosley took to Twitter, issuing what many consider a lackluster non-apology: “The illustrations that I was contracted to draw, some over 40 years ago, have been taken out of context, as today’s generation may not have an understanding of what was taking place in journalism and the world during my time at Hustler magazine.” You can almost hear the crickets chirping after that one.
The Son Comes to the Rescue
George Trosley III, playing the role of devoted son, echoed his father’s sentiments, explaining that his dad feels shame about the cartoons. “This project and NFT space as a whole has allowed my father an opportunity to redeem himself. This community, from day one, has been about inclusivity,” he remarked. It’s nice to know even in the world of digital assets, redemption arcs are still a thing.
Allies and Critics
On social media, reactions varied. Twitter user Ricefarmer.eth, a self-identified person of color (POC), stated: “I’ve blocked over 50 accounts today, some of them my own followers. As a POC, I will not stand with anyone defending Jungle Freaks and their behavior.” Time to unfriend those toxic vibes!
The Broader Context of NFT Controversies
Shockingly, Jungle Freaks is not alone in facing backlash in the NFT world. Earlier this year, Misfit University stirred controversy by releasing NFTs with avatars sporting duct tape over their mouths—an act that was met with backlash from survivors of domestic violence. Eventually, the creators issued apologies and attempted damage control by buying back the offending assets.
In a different case, OpenSea, a popular NFT marketplace, found itself embroiled in scandal due to insider trading by one of its product leads. Nate Chastain took advantage of his position to purchase NFTs, knowing they would soon feature prominently on the home page, turning around for a profit. He resigned post-investigation, leaving behind a lot of awkward conversations over lunch.
The Future of NFTs
As NFTs continue to navigate stormy waters, one can only wonder: will the industry learn from these blunders, or is it destined to repeat them? Regardless, when it comes to Trosley and Jungle Freaks, it appears their moment in the sun has faded—let’s hope it’s not the last chapter for NFTs battling for respect and redemption.
