Leslie Jones, the actress known for her role in the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, has recently opened up about the racially-motivated threats she faced following the movie’s release. Jones, who starred alongside Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon, revealed the horrifying onslaught of messages and comments she received in her new biography, Leslie F*cking Jones: A Memoir.
In her book, Jones shared her experience of the online harassment she endured, stating, How do y’all all get together to bully a person? It wasn’t as if I’d committed a crime or something – I was being bullied over a movie, over playing a part in a movie. The level of vitriol directed at Jones was disturbing, with threats including being sent films of herself being hanged and explicit racist language.
The release of the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot garnered significant backlash, both from franchise fans and general cinemagoers. Despite the film’s flaws, the disproportionate level of online abuse suffered by the cast shed light on the toxic nature of social media when it comes to trivial matters. This incident underscores the ongoing issue of online abuse against actors who are simply doing their job.
Ghostbusters: Answer the Call was a gender-swapped remake of the beloved franchise, which inevitably faced scrutiny from fans. The decision to alter the characters and use it as a marketing point created a divide among the fan base. However, regardless of the grievances some had concerning the movie’s execution, the level of harassment and abuse directed at the cast members was unwarranted.
The rise of social media platforms has provided a space for individuals to express their opinions openly, often without consequence. Unfortunately, this also means that actors and public figures become targets of online abuse and harassment. The anonymity offered by the internet allows individuals to indulge in this toxic behavior without facing any real-world repercussions.
Over the past six years since the Ghostbusters reboot, we have seen no substantial decrease in online abuse against actors who are simply doing their job. This issue reveals a darker side of social media and emphasizes the need for platforms to take responsibility and enact measures to combat harassment and maintain a safe environment for all users.
In conclusion, the racially-motivated threats faced by Leslie Jones following the release of the Ghostbusters reboot serve as a stark reminder of the toxicity that exists within social media platforms. The disproportionate backlash against the film highlights the ongoing issue of online abuse directed at actors for simply doing their job. It is essential for both individuals and platforms to recognize the harmful impact of this behavior and strive towards creating a safer online space.
