The 'Dear White People' meme is inspired by the bold title cards and branding of the 2014 film and the subsequent 2017 Netflix series of the same name. In the show, the title refers to a controversial campus radio program that addresses racial tensions at a fictional Ivy League university. Online, the minimalist aesthetic—usually featuring white text on a solid background—became a popular template for users to frame their own 'public service announcements' or social critiques. While it often handles serious themes of microaggressions and cultural appropriation, the meme is also frequently used for lighthearted banter regarding everyday habits, pop culture preferences, or specific group behaviors.