Grey's Anatomy Actor Jesse Williams Sparks a Conversation About Race With a Series of Tweets
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Actor Jesse Williams took to Twitter on Tuesday to talk about issues of race and violence. He addressed the shooting of Ferguson, MO, teen Mike Brown, insensitive Halloween costumes related to violence against black people, and problems with indifference. This isn't the first time the Grey's Anatomy star has publicly addressed issues like this, as he penned an opinion piece for CNN about police violence this past September. See some of the actor's questions and comments about race below, then check out Jesse's Twitter feed for the rest of his tweets.
Let's say #MikeBrown did fight w/ #DarrenWilson- let's say it was worse, HE SHOT UP A THEATER. No weapon + significant distance = Can't Kill
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
Of course #MikeBrown's blood is in the car- the cop shot him. Giving him every reason to run. None of #DarrenWilson's blood in the car tho.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
The new marketplace of anonymous messageboard tough guys, twitter trolls & cowardly lions will continue to rejoice. #CulturalWeakness
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
With the swell of black death at the hands of cops & vigilantes, I have some genuine questions for this specific segment of the population:
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
You loud few, relishing in blustery opinion over fact. Lurking in anonymity, unable to survive outside the lazy comfort of
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
of conclusions drawn long ago, unencumbered by the inconvenient realities of actual information.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
When "men" violently assault women, your reaction is never "Well, girls hit girls all the time." That would be repugnant. Consider why.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
Why do so many of you reflexively defend, identify w/, and antagonize on behalf of whiteness whenever blackness is involved?
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
You don't feel compelled to justify every thing done by everyone who happens to be straight or male or right-handed. So why whiteness?
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
What about black pain is so fun to you? From where is that joy derived?
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
When #Halloween comes around, how exactly does dressing as Trayvon and other illustrations of black pain, make you feel? Please be specific.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
We don't reflexively celebrate random or routine white death, make memes of your bleeding corpses, etc. Tell us about this unique obsession.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
Millions of you smile in awe of our music, comedy, inventions, athletics, fashion, etc. but when we're not entertaining you, you hate us?
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
How is the fact that police are killing 400 people a year not worthy of investigation and remedy?
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
Blackness has never been a threat to whiteness. Whiteness has always actively threatened blackness. This is not a matter of opinion.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
White people have played a crucial role in nearly every social justice movement in this country. Indifference is not your duty or heritage.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014
You need not carry the heavy, hollow burden of racism any longer. Leave it behind. Be for something, and not because it's easy.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) October 28, 2014