Hollywood star Hugh Jackman is facing some online backlash this week after he posted a photo showing a protester hugging a police officer.
Fox News [1] reported that the X-Men star took to Twitter on Wednesday that appeared to show a cop hugging a crying black protester.
“Solidarity,” Jackman captioned the image.
Solidarity. pic.twitter.com/EdNmRipv0B [2]
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) June 3, 2020 [3]
It didn’t take long for the Twitter mob to come for Jackman over the photo, which many said was “shallow propaganda” that favored American police officers.
“This is shallow propaganda designed to obfuscate and maintain oppressive dynamics,” one user wrote, with another adding, “Really this is your contribution really.”
“You forgot the rest – Solidarity for a photo op, then back to shooting at and beating peaceful protesters and journalists,” a third person commented.
This is shallow propaganda designed to obfuscate and maintain oppressive dynamics
— ⓥ (@islandrhythmz) June 3, 2020 [4]
Really this is your contribution really
— Ranibow Sprimkle ™️ (@Muffin_Chips) June 4, 2020 [5]
You forgot the rest – Solidarity for a photo op, then back to shooting at and beating peaceful protesters and journalists.
— Jonathan Robert (@jonathan_eff) June 3, 2020 [6]
Racial tensions and anti-police sentiments are at an all-time high right now after the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody last week in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Other social media users used Jackman’s body of work to attack him, pointing out that he played Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, a character fighting for a second chance after being branded as a criminal and an outcast in the eyes of the law.
“bro was in les miserables and he still doesn’t get it?” one person wrote.
bro was in les miserables and he still doesn’t get it?
— gracielita (@GBinEP) June 4, 2020 [7]
Some users also said that Jackman played Wolverine in the X-Men series, which used the concept of “mutants” as a metaphor for racial inequality.
“Did you pay attention to any of the x-men movies you were in,” another user tweeted.
Did you pay attention to any of the x-men movies you were in
— Queer Buzzkill (they/them) (@sjw_LauraKinney) June 3, 2020 [8]
Finally, users attacked Jackman for his friendship with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, something he has been open about in the past, saying they just don’t talk politics.
“Hugh is long time friends with Ivanka and Jared Kushner. He was never on our side,” one person commented, with another adding, “don’t forget hugh jackman is very good friends with ivanka trump and says he doesn’t like ‘to talk about politics’ he is an absolutely trash human being.”
Hugh is long time friends with Ivanka and Jared Kushner. He was never on our side.
— AmadeusMaxwell (@AmadeusMaxwell) June 3, 2020 [9]
don’t forget hugh jackman is very good friends with ivanka trump and says he doesn’t like “to talk about politics” he is an absolutely trash human being https://t.co/X0dJtXXWar [10]
— jasmine / bIm (@rubberssouls) June 3, 2020 [11]
Jackman has yet to respond [12] to the backlash against him, and he has yet to delete his tweet.
This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com [13] and is used by permission.
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Disturbing New Video Shows George Floyd Struggling With Cops In Squad Car [14]
Fans Stunned as Sean Hannity Divorces His Wife of Over 20 Years [15]
Wife of Ex-Minneapolis Police Officer Arrested for George Floyd’s Murder Files for Divorce [16]