Jesse Williams, star of the hit show Grey’s Anatomy, received a ton of acclaim after his racially-charged BET award speech. In a five-minute segment, the 34-year-old human rights activist called out American racism in a powerful speech and raised awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Here’s the full speech, ICYMI:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeRIUPlxlv4
While many deemed the speech moving and inspirational, a select few — including annoying political celeb Stacey Dash — deemed the speech racist rhetoric. One person was so pissed off about the actor’s words, that they started a Change.org petition. Instead of praising Williams for speaking out, Erin Smith denounced him for being racist and hateful against police.
From the petition:
Jesse Williams spewed a racist, hate speech against law enforcement and white people at the BET awards. If this was a white person making the same speech about an African American, they would have been fired and globally chastised, as they should be, but there has been no consequences to Williams’ actions. There’s been no companies making a stand against his racist remarks and no swift action condemning his negative attitude. Why was Burke’s character fired from Grey’s Anatomy after his inappropriate homophobic slur, but nothing for Jesse Williams? Why the one-way street? Why the support for a hater? Why the hypocrisy? #AllLivesMatter All humans bleed the same color. #EqualConsequences4RacistBehavior
Smith has already acquired 4,539 signatures out of the 5,000 goal. Needless to say, the petition caused quite the reaction:
People asking for #JesseWilliams to get fired from #GreysAnatomy need to ask themselves how #racist they are.
— Angela Kiel (@AngelaRRuth) July 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/byashlene/status/750313190815363072
Can anybody explain why Jesse Williams should be fired??? You know what I don't even want to know why some think he should…smh
— Big BlaQ™️ (@EarthQuake_HK15) July 5, 2016
How you trying to get Jesse Williams fired when one of his REGULAR directors lauded him in the profile before his speech?
Come on, Connor.
— April (@ReignOfApril) July 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/leelabee/status/750322665982943232
Even the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes voiced her opinion:
Um, people? Boo don't need a petition. #shondalandrules
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) July 5, 2016
After being inundated with hate mail, Smith added the following:
**A special note to all the people making assumptions: Who said I was white? Who said I’m a Trump supporter? This is not about politics. This is about equal consequences for racist behavior. If this was an Asian, Mexican, Caucasian or whoever saying the same exact words as Jesse Williams did, I would be against it and petitioned them to be fired if they did not suffer the same consequences as others have suffered for their irrational behavior. We’re all adult human beings. Why not act that way? Instead of lashing out with immature and obnoxious name calling, do something about getting everyone to look at everyone in the same light. Make a difference!
Make a difference? By getting Jesse Williams fired from a TV show? I think I may be missing something, because this is completely ridiculous.
What do you think? Tell us in the comments below.
