If there's one thing many people didn't see coming in 2007 it would be just how much they can relate to Chris Crocker, known to some as the person from the "Leave Britney alone!" viral video.
However, with the recent Hulu documentary Framing Britney Spears, people are looking out for the well being of the famed popstar with all the same energy of the 13-year-old video plea.
However, the memories of 2007 aren't all laughs, especially for Crocker. At the time, their recorded response to harassment and abuse Spears was experiencing from paparazzi and commentators was met with at best dismissal.
But at worst, it drove the online personality to fear for their life.
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In a picture of a note, Crocker—now 33—explained their biggest issue with the backlash received from the viral video.
"Me saying Leave Britney Alone was never really the issue. Michael Moore said it & no one batted an eyelash."
"Maybe people reaching out to tell me 'Chris, you were right.' would feel good, if I knew that people could unpack the reason no one took me serious was because I was a gender-bending teenager and the reaction to me was transphobic."
They continued:
"When I said it, I had to fear for my life. Death threats were sent to my grandmother's house."
"I was already living in the south as a gender-bending teenager with no money or ways of feeling protected."
It sounds like people owe Chris an apology.
Crocker also explained they received hate and negativity even from the LGBT community. They were kicked out of bars because they believe these people were ashamed of how the media was viewing the community because of the video.
Crocker wasn't alone in 2007 asking for people to Leave Britney Alone. With all the recent news about the pop star, a video of Craig Ferguson explaining why he would refuse to make fun of her, despite many other late night hosts making it a regular part of their routine, is also drawing renewed attention.
The note ends wishing well for Spears, but also for better treatment for people who don't fit in heteronormative society. It's about time the internet appreciates Chris Crocker.
But it's also time they acknowledged why this heartfelt plea was turned into a joke in the first place.
The documentary Framing Britney Spears presented by The New York Times is available to stream on Hulu. It covers the love/hate relationship the pop star had with the media as well as the struggle with the conservatorship controlled by her father.
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