13 Reasons Why Memes Inappropriate, Hannah Baker Clay

Photo: Beth Dubber/Netflix.

Shows about teen suicide like Netflix's 13 Reasons Why are difficult to talk about because of the emotional intensity spurred by their characters, plot lines, and overall depressing subject. But it's important — so incredibly important. It shows that topics like bullying, self-harm, and counselling are not taboo. The Hannah Bakers of the world (young women and men who have been victims of ruthless — and often perceived as harmless — ridicule throughout high school) may be seen as overly sensitive, or dramatic, by some viewers. But the character Hannah, played by the fresh faced and wildly impressive Katherine Langford, highlights the complexities of navigating one of the most tumultuous places on earth: the halls of a high school.

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A series like this is sure to cause ripples, from its bloody and graphic portrayal of a teenager's suicide to its multiple rape scenes, but for a good reason. It starts conversations and spreads awareness about mental health and what it truly means to be an honest, kind person and friend. One thing that the show isn't meant to start is a campaign of tasteless memes to degrade and diminish the importance of the show and its themes — but of course, it happens anyways. Across Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr, viewers of the series are posting memes inspired by Hannah Baker and her tapes. I can appreciate a good meme as much as the next millennial, but these miss the point of 13 Reasons Why, and it's a real shame.

So, what is being memed? Mostly they're mocking her character's tendency to get upset over what seems to some people like nothing. Each meme makes light of the experience of being depressed, isolated, and hopeless. Yes, it seems foolish, without context, for someone to place blame on a boy who stole doodles of bunnies out of Hannah's compliment bag. But we're all adults here and know that it meant a lot more than that to the 17-year-old in the show.

The most popular one is to use the phrase "Welcome to your tape," which Hannah's voice-over repeats on each episode, marking the exact moment she felt betrayed by or disconnected from the subject of the tape.

#13ReasonsWhy

A post shared by That_Basic_Bitchhh™ ????? (@that_basic_bitchhh) on Apr 11, 2017 at 6:12pm PDT

13 reasons why
Chipotle employee: Guac is extra
Hannah: Welcome to your tape
— Davis (@Dubdiaz21) April 11, 2017

13 reasons why
Hannah: Hey do you have anymore gum
Kid: Hi, I'm chewing the last one I'm sorry
Hannah: Welcome to your tape
— Cey (@Stvr_b0y) April 11, 2017

"Welcome to your tape" #13ReasonsWhy pic.twitter.com/KWQTifjPq5
— Sarah Elizabeth (@stayupwithsarah) April 11, 2017

*someone breathes in Hannah's direction*
Hannah: welcome to your tape
— deadass, my guy? (@Sevs16) April 10, 2017

hannah baker: [waves at friend but friend doesn't see her]
hannah baker: Welcome To Your Tape
— jarod (@jarodzsz) April 11, 2017

They've also turned Hannah into Salt Bae.

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hannah baker be like pic.twitter.com/MnznGObRGf
— abbigail singer (@AbbigailSinger1) April 8, 2017

As well as repurposed the Meryl Streep shouting meme.

someone: hannah
me: BAKER HERE LIVE AND IN STEREO. NO RETURN ENGAGEMENTS. NO ENCORE. AND THIS TIME, ABSOLUTELY NO REQUESTS. I HOPE YOU'RE RE pic.twitter.com/60QZQyQops
— jc (@elizahtaylah) April 4, 2017

"hey. its me. hannah baker."

me: THATS RIGHT DONT ADJUST YOUR WHATEVER DEVICE YOURE LISTENING TO THIS ON ITS ME LIVE AND IN STEREO pic.twitter.com/5R6q3Z1ZyO
— 13rw. (@crestmontheImet) April 9, 2017

The Internet has also even dragged Ivanka Trump's smug neighbour into the mix.