Naomi Ackie Reveals How She Avoided Racial Abuse by the So-Called “Fans” of ‘Star Wars’: “I didn’t want to have a place for them to come with their comments.”

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of immersion in the vast Star Wars universe, I must say that my admiration for this epic saga has only grown stronger over time. It’s been an unparalleled journey that transcends generations and continues to captivate us all with its rich storytelling and imaginative worlds.

George Lucas’ “Star Wars” series serves as a cornerstone in modern science fiction storytelling. Initially conceived as a moderately ambitious space opera, it grew into one of the world’s wealthiest and most beloved franchises. Spanning several decades, “Star Wars” has captivated generations of enthusiasts and continues to rank among the greatest fictional realms ever imagined.

Since Disney purchased Lucasfilm, there’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the entire fictional universe, with “The Acolyte” being a recent target of a divisive fan movement. However, this type of behavior isn’t exclusive to “The Acolyte”; our upcoming story reveals that it has deep roots that predate this specific production.

Speaking of “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker,” the movie that brought actress Naomi Ackie into the spotlight as Jannah, she recently opened up about her experience in an extensive interview with The Hollywood Reporter. During this conversation, she shared how she skillfully navigated racial prejudice from self-proclaimed fans of the franchise, who unfortunately tend to target people of color.

The acquisition of Star Wars by Disney stirred up much debate, with fans anticipating changes but feeling that certain alterations were excessive. This dissatisfaction gave rise to a self-proclaimed fanbase, who in reality are not genuine enthusiasts but rather hateful trolls. They’ve directed their abuse and bullying towards people associated with the franchise, be they actors, producers, or others. Their toxicity has particularly targeted individuals of color, women, and those who don’t conform to traditional gender roles, as their hostility transformed into an anti-progressive campaign.

It’s something that people joining the franchise are mindful of, and given this awareness, actress Naomi Ackie, known for her role as Jannah in Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker, shared her strategy for sidestepping racist online harassment, an experience that John Boyega encountered when his casting was announced.

Originally, I believed that individuals of color might encounter racism on my platform, so I chose not to create an environment for such discussions. Miraculously, I received verification and a large following, which coincided with the release of “Star Wars.” Initially, I accepted this situation, but eventually, I found myself excessively scrolling through my feed, comparing myself to others and feeling envious, sad, and depressed. As a result, I began posting attention-seeking content, trying to be funny on Instagram stories or attempting to appear attractive from my shared living space with three other men. This behavior felt wrong, and I didn’t feel good about it. Eventually, I recognized that it was time to delete the account completely.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

As a fellow gamer, I firmly stand against the disrespectful actions directed towards Amandla Stenberg. Such behavior is not just unacceptable, but downright inappropriate, and I wholeheartedly condemn it.

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2024-08-30 13:13