Leslie Jones Flooded With Racist Tweets After ‘Ghostbusters’ Release: ‘I’m in a Personal Hell’
“Ghostbusters” actress and comedian Leslie Jones is taking a break from Twitter after she was flooded with inappropriate, racist and demeaning tweets from various users on the social media site. While the film has received a slew of backlash, Jones never expected to be verbally attacked for just doing her job.
“I’ve never claim[ed] to be better or special,” she tweeted on July 18. “I just try to do my job as best as I can. Isn’t that any of us y’all. So yeah this hurts me! I’m more human and real than you f*****g think. I work my ass off. I’m not different than any of you who has a dream to do what they love.”
READ MORE: ‘Ghostbusters’ Screenwriter Katie Dippold: Haters, I Feel Your Pain – Girl Talk
The actress retweeted the hurtful messages that she would receive and kept writing back to trolls who would harass her. At a certain point she became fed-up with trying to make a point and wrote that she was in a “personal hell” and “didn’t do anything to deserve this.”
I feel like I'm in a personal hell. I didn't do anything to deserve this. It's just too much. It shouldn't be like this. So hurt right now.
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016
She even called out Twitter for not taking more control of shutting down fake users’ accounts, “Twitter I understand you got free speech I get it. But there has to be some guidelines when you let [it] spread like that. You can see on the profiles that some of these people are crazy sick. It’s not enough to freeze [their] account. They should be reported.”
This prompted a response from the company’s CEO, Jack Dorsey, who tweeted that she should DM him.
READ MORE: Why The ‘Ghostbusters’ Backlash Is A Sexist Control Issue
Jones’ last tweet was her formally leaving the site by telling her fans, through tears, that the messages she was receiving were wrong. It’s unknown for how long she will be taking a break or if has left the social media platform for good.
I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart.All this cause I did a movie.You can hate the movie but the shit I got today…wrong
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016
READ MORE: Leslie Jones in ‘Ghostbusters’: This Is Not the Black Hero We Were Hoping to See
Meanwhile, thousands more rallied behind her and showed their support by starting the hashtag #LoveforLeslieJ. “Ghostbusters” director, Paul Feig, even joined in and expressed his sadness over the issue, “Any personal attacks against her are attacks against us all.”
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
Constance Wu also tweeted in support, calling Jones, “gorgeous, amazing and talented.”
https://twitter.com/ConstanceWu/status/755430593991614464
Below are more celebrities reactions and messages of support.
I've got real #LoveForLeslieJ ! Used to do mics with her years ago. Do u remember the Rumba room @Lesdoggg ? Lol. I'm sure you don't.
— Damon Wayans Yunior? (@wayansjr) July 19, 2016
I have unlimited #LoveforLeslieJ – and no tolerance for hateful remarks. https://t.co/RnCJwThb5b
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) July 19, 2016
Love you girl! xoAng #LoveforLeslieJ https://t.co/jpboYuQAKF
— Angela Bassett (@ImAngelaBassett) July 19, 2016
Just left @Ghostbusters and had SO MUCH FUN! That sequence in the smoke was everything!! #AnswerTheCall #GirlsKickingAss #LoveForLeslieJ
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) 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 Hughes (@SophiaBush) July 19, 2016
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