GradeAUnderA faces backlash for using anti-Semitic caricature in video thumbnail

The YouTuber sparked controversy after using an anti-Semitic caricature in his video thumbnail which he later changed.

YouTuber GradeAUnderA, also known as Ram Karavadra, is facing backlash after using an anti-Semitic caricature in the thumbnail of his September 28, video titled ‘How the Funeral Industry Is a Scam’.

The original thumbnail featured the "Happy Merchant," an anti-Semitic image created by far-right cartoonist Nick Bougas, which has historically been used to dehumanize Jewish and Black people.

Following criticism, GradeAUnderA changed the thumbnail to feature Mr. Krabs, a character from SpongeBob SquarePants. He responded to the controversy by tweeting that he had simply used "a random meme character" and accused people of calling "everything racist nowadays."

His post, however, was flagged by X’s community notes, which pointed out the origins of the "meme character" and its offensive nature.

"Is this how you get your sick kicks?"

"What? It's just an ordinary random meme chara-OH MY GOODNESS" https://t.co/Tcnu7iYa9F pic.twitter.com/eT3DfsOXxw

— ☠️ Lilith Lovett ☠️ - Famous Minority (@LilithLovett) September 29, 2024

GradeAUnderA, who gained popularity in the mid-2010s for his comedic commentary videos, has faced controversy before.

In a now-deleted video titled ‘COVID = OVERHYPED?’, he questioned the global investment into stopping the spread of COVID-19. Critics argued that his stance was flawed, as the billions of dollars invested were precisely why the pandemic slowed down.