Obviously some (white) folks can’t handle reality a/k/a the truth. It seems Jesse Williams‘ speech against racism at last Sunday’s BET Awards rocked the worlds of some people. So much so that a Change.Org petition was created to get the actor fired from his gig on the hit TV show Grey’s Anatomy.
The petition claims that Williams’ speech was “racist” and he should be punished for his “hate speech.”
“Jesse Williams spewed a racist, hate speech against law enforcement and white people at the BET awards. If this was a white person making the same speech about an African-American, they would have been fired and globally chastised, as they should be, but there has been no consequences to Williams’ actions.
There’s been no companies making a stand against his racist remarks and no swift action condemning his negative attitude. Why was Burke’s character fired from Grey’s Anatomy after his inappropriate homophobic slur, but nothing for Jesse Williams? Why the one-way street? Why the support for a hater? Why the hypocrisy? #AllLivesMatter All humans bleed the same color. #EqualConsequences4RacistBehavior”
Well, in the meantime – someone named Shelia Cox from Houston, Texas – has created an opposing petition of sorts warning Shonda Rhimes and ABC that if Jesse Williams is fired, a boycott of Grey’s Anatomy will be put in place. Fortunately, it seems that the petition against Williams isn’t picking up much steam (less than 400 signatures so far), so a boycott of the show or against Rhimes/ABC shouldn’t be necessary.
Here’s what some folks are saying over at Change.org about the anti-Jesse Williams petition:
“Seriously, I’m getting sick and tired of POC who publicly speak out against discrimination, prejudice and overt racism, (and who promote equality) being regularly labeled as being racist (this labeling coming from angry hate-filled people, primarily of European descent). When did critiquing and expressing disdain, against those who find a fictitious superiority within a social construct, become “racist”? When did demanding action to end race-based superiority, become an act of racism itself? This twisting and distortion of language has gone too far…” – Miguel Molina, Cotati, CA
“If Trump can speak his mind about “immigrants” then Jesse certainly can about how it is to be a person of color in America.” – Lance Thompson, Soquel, CA
“It was the best speech I have heard in decades. He is a hero. I will be supportive of Jesse Williams from this day forward. I am very grateful for him. He spoke courageously truths of the struggle we all face as non white America.” – Andrea Rose, Auburn, CA
The bottom line is that as far as Rhimes is concerned, Williams’ BET speech is NOT a problem for her. Considering her stance, we’d say his job is secure.
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