Boy, oh boy. This is obviously a difficult one to write because Netflix‘s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is such a beautiful film that has had all of us in our feelings. However, as all good things often come to an end, the film’s release has now been spoiled by the revelation that Israel Broussard, who plays Josh, had a concoction of racist and homophobic tweets stashed away in the archives. This is why we can’t have nice things.
In a string of only-recently deleted tweets from 2016, Broussard shared his views on about the important Black Lives Matter initiative. “Black Lives Matter has one goal. Division,” reads one tweer.
“all lives matter,” reads another understandably problematic statement.
What about this stellar one? “I’m not going out for a gay role, thank you though. Haha,”
https://twitter.com/hoIlandstoms/status/1031197798211833857
Twitter users have begun to uncover many more. One of them includes a tweet saying “Dogs can sense earthquakes. Too bad Japan ate them all”, allegedly 2 days after the a 2011 earthquake near Tōhoku.
he also tweeted this super offensive tweet about asian people in 2011 TWO days after the earthquake. the tweet has been deleted but there’s been no apology. link to the archived tweet: https://t.co/tpWZfc9HSn pic.twitter.com/Qjj7qaD2vD
— kaila (@marvelusholland) August 20, 2018
Broussard has since released a statement, describing this moment as “a pivotal life lesson”.
“I am deeply sorry for my inappropriate and insensitive words and likes on social media. I take full responsibility for my actions and I sincerely apologize. This has been a pivotal life lesson for me. I am dedicated to becoming a more informed and educated version of myself.”
https://twitter.com/israelbroussard/status/1032095378718375936
Do you think Broussard’s backlash is justified, even though some of the tweets date back to ’09? Is his apology acceptable?
Well, considering that this isn’t a once-off, Israel, and you’ve tweeted a succession of offensive shit, many of which only date back to 2016, you’re probably cancelled. Sorry ’bout it.
Either way, it’s necessary to hold people accountable for what they put on the internet, particularly in today’s socio-political climate.
Image: Getty / Frazer Harrison
