For a little while, calling COVID19 the “Wuhan virus” or “Chinese coronavirus” was the most racist thing one could do. But thanks to VICE News, we now know there’s something even worse:

Racist plaques depicting Winnie the Pooh holding a bat with chopsticks have begun to pop up around Atlanta, and police have no leads as to who is responsible. https://t.co/Mi39hEK3uC — VICE News (@vicenews) April 23, 2020

Winnie the Pooh is highly problematic, you guys:

Racist plaques depicting Winnie the Pooh holding a bat with chopsticks have begun to pop up around Atlanta, and police have no leads as to who is responsible. The round, bronze and teal plaques bearing the words “Wuhan Plague,” referencing the Chinese city where the coronavirus originated, first appeared April 13 on an electrical box in Inman Park, according to Atlanta police. Another appeared three days later at a coffee shop in the neighborhood of Reynoldstown. The most recent incident occurred on April 18 at Atlanta’s Candler Park Market. Winnie the Pooh’s association with Chinese culture originated in 2013 when parody comparisons between the cuddly bear and Prime Minister Xi Jinping went viral on social media — and China then banned Pooh images. … Despite the plaque’s overt racism, Atlanta police department spokesperson Carlos Campos said that the crime will likely not be considered a racial bias crime as police would need further proof that the motive was based on race, sex, sexual orientation or religion.

Sorry … overt racism?

How is it racist? — Boomieleaks (@Boomieleaks) April 23, 2020

How is this racist? — Scout (@Scoutdomain) April 23, 2020

How is this racist? — Joey Bags (@BagsActual) April 23, 2020

This is racist…how, exactly? It is satire, for sure. Unless we are arguing any comedic criticism of China is 'racist'. https://t.co/YcRwbcUYZg — Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) April 23, 2020

Sounds like something the ChiComs would do.

Literally nothing about that is racist — Josh Murr (@ArnoldPaulMurr) April 23, 2020

That’s not what racism is, dummies. — 🕷 (@r0b0tspider) April 23, 2020

Isn’t VICE supposed to be edgy and stuff? You’d think they’d understand the purpose of those plaques. Instead they’re outraged at the thought of Xi Jinping’s feelings being hurt stateside.

Oh, taking offense on behalf of Chairman Xi! Clever. — Merdxan (@merdxan) April 23, 2020