Viperous "Slur" Controversy

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Overview

Viperous "Slur" Controversy refers to Twitch banning streamer Viperous for allegedly saying a racial slur during a stream of a competitive game. However, it was found that she had said "nerd," not the n-word, and after public outcry, Twitch unbanned her.

Background

On November 8th, 2019, Twitch streamer Viperous was banned from the platform for allegedly using a racial slur while streaming Krunker. The following day, she tweeted, "I just got banned on Twitch for a clip of me that went around for literally saying “nerd”. I call people who kill me nerd all the time and whatever it sounds like i said, it was literally just nerd. Why am i getting banned for something I DIDNT EVEN DO??"^[1]

sidney @Viperous I just got banned on Twitch for a clip of me that went around for literally saying "nerd". I call people who kill me nerd all the time and whatever it sounds like i said, it was literally just nerd. Why ami getting banned for something I DIDNT EVEN DO?? @twitch Your Twitch account viperous has been temporarily suspended Cuitch Hello viperous, Based on a review of your activity or content, we have issued a Community Guidelines strike on your account. As a result, your access to Twitch services is restricted. Reason: Using hateful slurs Read Twitch's Community Guidelines to learn more. Where the Violation Occurred: On stream or VOD Content related to this violation may be removed. Suspension Length: 7 days Trying to get around this restriction can result in a longer suspension and may lead us to reject any suspension appeals you might submit 5:39 AM Nov 9, 2019 Twitter for iPhone

Developments

Twitter user @Dreamt_Of proved Viperous' claim by editing the footage of the clip, slowing it down such that it clearly shows her saying "nerd" and not a slur (shown below).

I was only hearing the "hard r" everytime I played it, but when I saw you in this thread I put it in vegas and slowed it down, she actually does say nerd, holy shit. https://t.co/6UN9eyyhAk
— Nick | Dream&Sushi (@Dreamt_Of) November 9, 2019

The initial ban was covered by Daily Dot.^[2] YouTuber Scarce voiced his support for Viperous after explaining the situation (shown below).

THANK 👏 YOU 👏 JohnScarce</a> 👏<br><br>and I’m STILL banned on Twitch and had my subs refunded from the stream they suspended my channel on. Unban my channel please <a href="https://twitter.com/Twitch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">Twitch pic.twitter.com/Cvi2emIm6Q

— sidney (@Viperous) November 10, 2019

On November 12th, four days after the suspension, Twitch unbanned Viperous, sending her an apology email, which she posted to her Twitter account (shown below). After her unbanning, she held a marathon stream in which she gained 1,800 subscribers, thanks in part to streamer DrLupo, who gifted gifts to new subscribers during her stream.^[3]