John Boyega showed the strength and brilliance that many of us have always seen in him this past week when he stood up against the racial injustices in this world and took a stand in the Black Lives Matter movement. The Star Wars star stood in front of Hyde Park and said, “I’m speaking to you from my heart. Look, I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this, but f*** that,” which ushered in waves of love for Boyega online.
Praising the actor for speaking out, celebrities and creatives all took to voicing their support for the actor and making sure that he would still have a career. The idea that he wouldn’t is incredibly sad, because not only is John Boyega one of the most talented actors out there, but he is a generally lovely person, and Hollywood blackballing someone for speaking out against injustice would only further my love of the one taking a stand. It seems many others feel the same.
Since his speech, Boyega has been, uncharacteristically, pretty silent on social media. Many of us shared our love and praise, but now, Boyega is back and doing what he does best: trolling racists and sharing his love and humor online.
On Instagram, he shared two posts back to back. The first? A Yoda statue saying “Matter Black lives do.” (This is why Yoda is the best.)
View this post on Instagram
And then he posted the scene from Avatar where the Na’vi are joining together to take on those oppressing them.
Using his platform to continue to share stories and tweets about the Black Lives Matter movement, Boyega is also not shying away from my favorite thing John Boyega does: unapologetically calling out racist things and dragging those who try to fight him about it.
Anytime someone mentions the statue …. pic.twitter.com/x5FcM1dlDe
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) June 8, 2020
Nah I feel petty today. That statue shit is funny af. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/sW4wWsz65K
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) June 8, 2020
Many celebrities have taken to Twitter over the weekend to share that they would continue to work with Boyega and urged others to do so in support of the actor and his speech.
I would work with John Boyega and I urge other Non-Black creators to affirm that they have his back as well. https://t.co/SqXgmIS5aR
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) June 3, 2020
I would work with John Boyega anytime, and I’d consider myself lucky to do so. https://t.co/l3eRnpsXUv
— Mike Flanagan (@flanaganfilm) June 4, 2020
Yes, I would also still work with John Boyega. While we’re at it, I will also work with Greta Gerwig, Rihanna and Jurgen Klopp. But that’s it. NOW MAKE IT HAPPEN.
— chris o’dowd (@BigBoyler) June 4, 2020
Of course I would work with John Boyega. I honestly don’t think I could get a meeting. https://t.co/j5E1LsjTKx
— Jenni Konner (@JenniKonner) June 4, 2020
I would love to work w John Boyega https://t.co/zQTIP29SVR
— Cathy Yan (@CathyYan) June 3, 2020
We got you, John. https://t.co/oX7Rr52omx
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) June 3, 2020
While it is sad that we live in world where Boyega even had to consider that this would jeopardize his career, this show of support and his continued social media presence are both incredibly hopeful glimpses into the future. Hopefully, it does inspire other celebrities with large platforms to use them in the way that Boyega and stars like Keke Palmer are. May John Boyega continue to drag racists.
(image: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
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