Well that didn’t take long at all. I was wondering how long it was going to be before someone noticed that there was a black person in the new Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens teaser trailer. Star Wars John Boyega, yeah he’s black and apparently some people have a problem with that. Some people out there have a problem that a talented black actor was tapped to play a role in a movie that is sure to gross money hand over fist and I’m thoroughly confused as to why. Sitting here reading the story on The Hollywood Reporter brings back memories of Joe Pesci and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 2.
Listen to your friends John Boyega, you don’t really want to be a part of a movie that is sure to not only rake in money at the box office but is also history in the making. Why? Because you’re black. It’s nearly freaking 2015 people! What the hell? I’m a pretty tolerant person when it comes to racism, I don’t generally bring attention to it because I know it happens, I’ve experienced it. Being Latino I’ve had to endure some interesting challenges myself and I almost always ignore the hate and move on. Which is exactly what John Boyega has done and why I’m writing this now. Boyega’s response to his racially challenged critics…..”Get used to it.” Boyega took to his Instagram with that message. First he thanked everyone for their support in a nice five sentence statement then addressed the critics in that one sentence.
The unfortunate truth, even here in late 2014, is that people of all races still encounter racism. It sucks. It’s stupid. It’s ignorant. But John Boyega handled it with class. He knows the amount of people who are going to appreciate his talent in the new Star Wars film outweigh the vocal few who simply hate him because he’s black. I give big props and much respect to Boyega for handling himself contrary to how those people perceive him. I’m going to go watch Star Wars Episode VII – The Force Awakens, not because John Boyega is black….but because he’s a damn good actor in a movie I’m excited for. Thanks John, thanks for keeping your cool and being an example of how we who experience racism should act.
[button type=”link” link=”http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-star-john-boyega-752827″ size=”btn-sm” variation=”btn-danger” target=”blank”]Source: Hollywood Reporter[/button]Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
