John Boyega Shouldn’t Have to Defend Himself for Calling Out Racists. Yet Here We Are.
It is a travesty that we live in a world where the phrase "I fucking hate racists," isn't met with universal praise. This week, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, Star Wars actor John Boyega tweeted "I really fucking hate racists." While the tweet currently has 1.8 million likes, it was also met with criticism from trolls.
But, a day after sending the tweet, Boyega hasn't backed down.
“This is my own personal account. I am not here for the kids," he fired back at people angry at him for using foul language.
"I also remember walking through thamesmead, getting jumped and called a African monkey from 13. You idiots that like to think my millions dictates my mind are the worst," he said to trolls criticizing him for his success in the Star Wars franchise.
Boyega continued defending himself in an Instagram story.
“A black man was just murdered in cold blood in the street Stateside again, while saying he can’t breathe. That’s a continuous cycle going on," he said. "Although I don’t live in the States, I’m black … So I’ll say it again: fuck you racist white people. I said what I said ... You lot can’t rattle me. I’m not the guy to be rattled. I wasn’t raised by no weak people."
I really fucking hate racists.
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) May 27, 2020
In another follow up tweet, Boyega noted that he heard from his mom, who said he was a "good boy" for calling out racists.
Boyega has long stood up to toxic fans, trolls, and racists on the internet. He and his Star Wars co-stars have consistently been harassed on social media since being cast in the Disney era of the franchise. Literally from the first trailer for The Force Awakens, Boyega has continued to fight back against online trolls.
His anger is being felt across America from protests in Minneapolis to other celebrities like LeBron James, Beyonce, Cardi B, and Kim Kardashian West expressing outrage over another death of an unarmed black man. As of Wednesday, four officers involved in the incident have been fired and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has called for the officer who knelt on Floyd to be arrested and charged.
You Might Also Like
