Post-Election Gritty Memes Have Foreigners Scratching Their Heads

Philadelphia PA

09 November, 2020

11:06 AM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — It's not just Philadelphia that has been in the international spotlight in the days following the presidential election. Its beloved mascot, Gritty, has been, too. Following President Donald Trump's projected defeat by Joe Biden and a heavy focus on Philadelphia's vote tally, Gritty's online presence via memes has transcended the United States and left foreigners asking: who exactly is this Gritty character? French publication Le Monde back in December 2018 published a sort of profile on Gritty after he was embraced by President Donald Trump's detractors, antifascists, socialists, and others left of center. That piece has recirculated online as numerous Gritty memes spread across social media upon Biden's victory Saturday and a Le Monde reader asked the publication "C'est quoi Gritty?" or "who is Gritty?" French media having to explain to readers who @GrittyNHL is as part of their election coverage wasn't on my 2020 bingo card, but it's definitely my fave moment of the cycle so far. pic.twitter.com/d8Pz0H8d9R— Chris Sgro (@cristoferosgro) November 7, 2020 Other foreigners were wondering who the rowdy, orange beast is. Can anyone explain to this confused Italian living in the US what is up with Philadelphia and Gritty?? Is he their daimon?— Muβandra (@ammit_) November 6, 2020 A fair question when your social media feed is full of images such as these: The path to victory began when Gritty was born on September 24, 2018 pic.twitter.com/eyXCAtYh0o— Scott Lemieux (@LemieuxLGM) November 7, 2020 Our Lord & Savior, Gritty pic.twitter.com/UUktTbHAwn— Beth DeBold (@eliza_audacis) November 8, 2020 Gritty, y'all. pic.twitter.com/T7UUqQUGmZ— Airea D. Matthews (@aireadee) November 6, 2020 And in the end, it was Gritty who decided the President of the United States of America pic.twitter.com/lrcHZet49L— KFC (@KFCBarstool) November 7, 2020 Liberté, Egalité, Gritté pic.twitter.com/p1Jnaf54de— Sov Cit Decider (@alicelfc4) November 6, 2020 still reeling from Sexy Gritty pic.twitter.com/EVK0EH3I9p— Matt Ufford (@mattufford) November 8, 2020 Please remember that there's an official City of Philadelphia declaration that Gritty is anti-fascist and it's one of the best pieces of writing you'll read (thanks to @HelenGymAtLarge @HelenGymPHL) https://t.co/flRCL6KIXT pic.twitter.com/L6PGezjO8W— Katherine Locke (@Bibliogato) November 7, 2020 thanks gritty we owe you one pic.twitter.com/5dlV246kXM— Mike Skeleton (@MtHamiltron) November 7, 2020 Gritty the Grey has become Gritty the Orange pic.twitter.com/nifJWw4Vt7— Beth DeBold (@eliza_audacis) November 8, 2020Gritty the Grey has become Gritty the Orange pic.twitter.com/nifJWw4Vt7— Beth DeBold (@eliza_audacis) November 8, 2020 As for the Italian national living in the United States who asked about Gritty, she embraced the icon and shared a meme herself: It's been an eventful day and I am not only overjoyed for the election results, but also now far more knowledgeable about the lore of #Gritty. Thank you, people who took time to explain this mythical creature to me! Long may he rage! pic.twitter.com/Uzr1CWhoSy— Muβandra (@ammit_) November 8, 2020