

The amount of racism that Leslie Jones, dark-skinned actress in the new Ghostbusters film, was drowned with, was disgusting to say the very least. Hundreds, if not thousands of racist tweets bombarded her twitter account all because she was a black woman in a the sequel to a sci-fi classic. The follow are examples of the racists remarks she’d been trying to combat all yesterday:
Exposing I hope y'all go after them like they going after me pic.twitter.com/ojK5FdIA0H
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 18, 2016
I just don't understand pic.twitter.com/N9xWoXPttu
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 18, 2016
What is even more disconcerting is the number of people who liked and retweeted these images thinking it funny! Hollywood has a problem with black women, and even more of a problem with dark skinned black women. It is an issue that has been combated against since women started acting, and has been addressed by several prominent figures in different articles. Actress Viola Davis, in 2015 on The Root stated this in reference to Hollywood’s views on black women:
Viola Davis is an anomaly, and like she stated in her article, it’s shocking for someone of her age, race, and sex to be playing the role that she did in How to Get Away With Murder> because it almost never happens. Colorism and the marginalization of black women in media is a reality. Blogger Raven Carter states in her article, referring to the NWA casting:
This kind of racism and sexism has lead to black actresses needing to be conscious about their careers. Actress Keke Palmer stated on Clutch :
My major point here is that the dual “isms” of race and sex hit black women harder than any other race in media and the bashing of Leslie Jones is overt proof of this. It needs to stop. This pure hate caused by nothing other than difference in appearance needs to be abolished. And to those people saying the “trolls’ are horrible, you are mistaken. This isn’t trolling, it is hate on the foundation of racism and sexism.
Thankfully, Leslie Jones seems to have more people supporting her than hating. The “Love for Leslie J” hashtag rose in response to the hateful comments, and I hope it helps to reaffirm the fact that she is a strong, beautiful chocolate woman, and that we love her.
Leslie Jones is one of the greatest people I know. Any personal attacks against her are attacks against us all. #LoveForLeslieJ @Lesdoggg
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) July 18, 2016
They hate to see you shine. Do it anyway. Blind them.
You is beautiful
You is talented
You is kind
#LoveforLeslieJ https://t.co/Kc7ySGPVcA— Candice Patton (@candicekp) July 19, 2016
Also. @Lesdoggg. You're amazing. What happened to you on Twitter today is awful. We need your light & your fight #LoveForLeslieJ
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) July 19, 2016
Use the hashtag and send her some love. Be strong sista, we are here for you.