Why Black Actors Face Unfair Criticism in 2024

The entertainment industry often sees public figures receiving significant online criticism. Some Black actors have been subject to particularly intense and sustained negative feedback from segments of the audience and online commentators. This phenomenon occurs across various platforms and projects, ranging from franchise films to television series.

Main News

Actors such as Moses Ingram, who appeared in the “Star Wars” series “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” reported receiving hundreds of hateful messages. These messages included racial slurs and threats. Similar online backlash was directed at John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran following their roles in the recent “Star Wars” sequel trilogy.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, actress Dominique Thorne, who plays Riri Williams / Ironheart, has also been a target of online criticism prior to her character’s solo project. The criticism often focuses on the characters these actors portray rather than their individual performances.

The response from production companies has been public support. Lucasfilm issued a statement in support of Moses Ingram, stating “there are more than 20 million sentient species in the Star Wars galaxy, don’t choose to be a racist.” Fellow actors have also spoken out in defense of their colleagues.

Summary

Several Black actors in major film franchises have been subjected to widespread online hate and harassment. This has included racist abuse and threats sent directly to the actors via social media platforms.

The targets include Moses Ingram from the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series, John Boyega from the “Star Wars” sequels, and Dominique Thorne from the Marvel universe. The criticism frequently intersects with discussions about character development and fan expectations.

Production studios like Lucasfilm have responded by publicly supporting the actors and condemning the racist harassment. This has highlighted an ongoing issue within certain segments of large fan communities.

FAQs

Why do some fans send hate to actors?
The reasons are complex and often relate to dissatisfaction with a character’s story arc or the direction of a franchise. In these specific cases, the criticism has included racially motivated attacks.

Have the studios responded to this issue?
Yes, studios have issued official statements. Lucasfilm publicly supported Moses Ingram, condemning the racism and reaffirming their commitment to the actor and her character.

Is this a new phenomenon?
While online criticism of actors is not new, the scale and vitriolic nature, including organized harassment campaigns and racial abuse, have become more prominent in the social media era.