See Star Wars Actor Moses Ingram Respond To Racist Attacks In Emotional Video
Check out what Moses Ingram posted in the face of a number of troubling comments made about her character on Obi-Wan Kenobi
Since Obi-Wan Kenobi debuted on Disney+ last week, everyone probably hates Reva Sevander. And that’s perfectly ok since the Jedi-hunting Imperial inquisitor is the central villain in the story. But the hatred that actress Moses Ingram is facing on social media has nothing to do with her evil character. Instead, the messages she shared in a series of Instagram stories include degrading racist insults, threats, and slurs. “There are hundreds of those,” she said in an accompanying video.
Moses Ingram paired the social media post with Megan Thee Stallion’s defiant anthem Megan’s Piano, indicating her refusal to be intimidated or look the other way. While the post has since expired, her personal message to fans continues to do the rounds on social media. “There’s nothing anybody can do about this. There’s nothing anybody can do to stop this hate,” the 27-year-old said. “I question what my purpose is even being here in front of you, saying that this is happening.”
Speaking candidly to her followers, Moses Ingram explained that the thing that bothers her most is feeling that, “I’ve just got to shut up and take it.” And although no one has told her to do so, she still thinks there’s an expectation for her to grin and bear it. “I’m not built like that,” the Star Wars star said. However, the actress also acknowledged the droves of support she’s received throughout this ordeal. “I see those of you out there who put on a cape for me. And that really does mean the world to me,” she said.
Interestingly, Moses Ingram went on to say that such insults are inevitable. And that Lucasfilm warned her to prepare for hateful, racist remarks before the show premiered. The studio’s warning comes as no surprise since a small but vocal portion of the Star Wars fanbase has become notorious for trolling cast members who are not white. John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran have also been on the receiving end of racist hate after appearing in the last three Star Wars movies.
Boyega’s 2014 appearance in the trailer for The Force Awakens started a nauseating social media movement called #BlackStormtrooper after people reacted to his casting with suspicion and racist remarks. Meanwhile, Tran had to quit social media and spend time in therapy following her role in 2017’s The Last Jedi. Now, following the latest surge of race-fueled hate, Ewan McGregor shared a message of support for his co-star on the official Star Wars Twitter account. In the video, he strongly condemns the abuse leveled at Moses Ingram.
“It seems that some of the fanbase has decided to attack Moses Ingram online and send her the most horrendous, racist messages,” McGregor said. “I heard some of them this morning, and it just broke my heart.” He added that Moses is a brilliant actor and a brilliant woman who brings so much to the series. And witnessing the blatant racism had sickened him. “I just want to say, as the lead actor in the series, as the executive producer on the series, that we stand with Moses. And if you’re sending her bullying messages, you’re no Star Wars. There’s no place for racism in this world,” he said.
Another message of support was posted by the Star Wars account a few hours later saying, “There are more than 20 million sentient species in the Star Wars galaxy, don’t choose to be a racist.” The post also said the franchise is proud to welcome Moses Ingram to the Star Wars family and excited for Reva’s story to unfold. And if anyone intends to make her feel unwelcome, “We resist.”
