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John Boyega

atxrashidaatxrashida
in General
Aaron and Jim briefly discussed the John Boyega/GQ article on LWJA this week. I was really bummed out to here Jim say he didn't have too much sympathy because presumably, Boyega was paid and is more famous now. This is fine and I love Bald Move, but I wanted to link to the article, for any one interested in reading it. I think Boyega lays out a fair argument and shows proper appreciation to Disney, while acknowledging that money does not make a person immune to racism, nor should he feel compelled to be silent (shut up and dribble) re: his experience making the movies, particularly at a time of social unrest around the world. I'm very proud of him for speaking up and not letting money buy his silence.

<3
Dee

Comments

  • HunkuleseHunkulese Québec, Canada
    I thought a lot of his comments were pretty bizarre, to be honest. Obviously, all the racism directed at him from the public is deplorable and no one should have to go through that. But he did sign up to be in a Disney controlled Star Wars. He had to know going in that Disney was going to be trying to micromanage every second of his life to make sure they make as much money as possible.

    I also don't understand where he's coming from saying they didn't know what to do with him and didn't give him any nuance and then to criticize The Last Jedi and seemingly defend JJ Abrams. He was one of the main protagonists in The Last Jedi and went through a bunch of character growth, with nuance, as he learned what it took to be a hero. There was clearly a plan in place for him after that, but it was all dropped and he was barely a background character in Rise of Skywalker. I understand he didn't agree with all the script choices Rian Johnson made, but to say he didn't know what to do with him or didn't want to give him any nuance is just silly.
    gguenotPeeps
  • DeeDee Adelaide
    I was annoyed by Jim’s dismissal too, but I think he hadn’t read the article and probably thought Boyega was just complaining about his character being sidelined. Which, he was, and rightly so, but it was more the comments about the racism he was subjected to that got to me when I read it. No amount of money makes that okay. And not even the blatant abuse he got, even the smaller things like them not letting him dress in his own style at premiers. Lately there have been so many people of colour talking about their experiences in their jobs and I wish we could all just sit back and think about what they must feel rather than being so quick to dismiss it as nothing important. 
    atxrashida
  • atxrashidaatxrashida
    edited September 2020
    Dee said:
    I was annoyed by Jim’s dismissal too, but I think he hadn’t read the article and probably thought Boyega was just complaining about his character being sidelined. Which, he was, and rightly so, but it was more the comments about the racism he was subjected to that got to me when I read it. No amount of money makes that okay. And not even the blatant abuse he got, even the smaller things like them not letting him dress in his own style at premiers. Lately there have been so many people of colour talking about their experiences in their jobs and I wish we could all just sit back and think about what they must feel rather than being so quick to dismiss it as nothing important. 

    Thank you, Dee. I agree with you. I don't think people understand from the headlines and bites what he's actually speaking to and I feel terrible that he's experienced backlash at every step of the process related to Star War and even further as an emerging activist speaking about his own experience as a Black man who was cast in a high profile film in a lead role. To say he should be ok with it because of money is the lowest hanging fruit. I think Disney's attempt to diversify the cast was great, but I also can't laude it for being anymore than a shaky first step in a looooong journey and Jon Boyega knows that BIPOC can no longer afford to smile and tolerate and permit abuse. Money isn't everything.
    Dee
  • HatorianHatorian Dagobah
    The fundamental issue I agree with. Disney makes these big “announcements” or moves on racial/sexual diversity that makes them look Super progressive and gets them all these “points” but then they do nothing with the characters. 

    The weird part of his comments were him shitting on Rian but Rian actually continued to build his character out. Even though he may have disagreed and I certainly did not like the plot. He got the whole “Casino Bight arms industry/animal industry is bad this is why he needs to stay and fight” development. 

    JJ didn’t really do shit with him but he got the love. 

    Also I’m Glad i didn’t have a powerful voice when I was young. Cuz man I said a lot of dumb shit. (Not that what he is saying is dumb, just he’s young and maybe that should be taken into consideration a bit)
  • HunkuleseHunkulese Québec, Canada
    edited September 2020
    Hatorian said:
    The fundamental issue I agree with. Disney makes these big “announcements” or moves on racial/sexual diversity that makes them look Super progressive and gets them all these “points” but then they do nothing with the characters. 

    I don't really think anyone is giving them points. They're not trying to be progressive. They're looking at their spreadsheets and deciding more Black people will go watch the movie if they have a Black actor. Most people see that.

    They may actually deserve maybe a point or two since having a female lead in a blockbuster movie is somehow still kind of progressive in 2020.
  • jluzaniajluzania Denver
    To be fair to Jim, his comments struck me as someone who hadn't yet read the article. It does sound to me like Boyega's experience with Star Wars wasn't great, but in a greater context, it's given him a perspective that made him a more impactful voice in the larger BLM movement. I don't feel that Boyega is feeling sorry for himself as much as he's inspired to be another voice pushing back against the racist system.

    I do hope Jim reads the interview if he hasn't already. 
    Deeatxrashida
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