You can be rich and famous beyond most people’s dreams, but chances are you’ll bow to the woke mob.
Just ask Halle Berry and Scarlett Johansson, two mega-stars who did just that when challenged about a specific film role. For Berry, it meant a hostage-like apology for “considering” a gig in which she would play a trans man.
Johansson’s sin? She, too, circled a project where she’d play a trans character. Her extended Apology TourTM covered several news cycles.
Stephen King, arguably the biggest name in pop literature, similarly backpedaled after he suggested art should be judged on its quality, not diversity quotas.
…I would never consider diversity in matters of art. Only quality. It seems to me that to do otherwise would be wrong.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) January 14, 2020
This is just a short list. Find many more examples in this critic’s book, “Virtue Bombs: How Hollywood Got Woke and Lost Its Soul.”
It’s why Chet Hanks’ recent appearance on Showtime’s “Ziwe” is both shocking and, potentially, consequential.
RELATED: What Is Cancel Culture? And Why Should Artists Fear It?
Who’s Chet Hanks? He’s the son of actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, and a thespian in his own right. He’s also an imperfect soul, with admitted substance abuse issues and time spent in a teen facility for troubled lads.
Some know him for his rap music – he goes by the name Chet Haze.
All of the above led him to Showtime’s late night series hosted by “Desus & Mero” alum Ziwe Fumudoh. The show’s host is proudly woke and incorporates that mindset into her series. The show is now in its second season, although a good faith attempt to find the show’s ratings history failed.
The host asked Hanks if he wanted to apologize for any of his past actions. She specifically mentioned “marginalized communities” and if he felt he had committed the sin of “cultural appropriation” with his art.
Most celebrities would instantly do just that. They’re on camera, face-to-face with a black female talk show host, and they know exactly what’s expected of them.
“I’m sorry. I vow to be an ally.” Etc. Etc.
The show even set up a graphic dubbed the “Apology Cam” should the guest feel a mea culpa coming on.
Not Hanks.
“Nah. I don’t feel like I’ve done anything truly offensive,” he says.
“So social justice warriors can go kick rocks?” the host asks, giving him one more chance to apologize.
“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah,” he says slowly but surely. “I one hundred percent agree. Social justice warriors can kick rocks.”
He then uses his hand to shoo the imaginary SJWs away, akin to a wrist flick.
The comments on the YouTube clip suggest Hanks has his supporters.
- This is really how simple it is. Maintain your composure, don’t get emotionally involved, and speak firmly and calmly. It’s basically the same template for dealing with a toddler or a puppy when you’re trying to house train them.
- He just laid the blueprint for how celebrities should react to wokeness.
- Absolute legend. Never apologize to the mob.
A few YouTube voices, though, suggested the clip in question is satire.
The story many not be over. Some stars have stood their ground initially and then, days later, apologized for doing so. Johansson initially defending herself when attacked over playing a trans character but quickly backpedaled.
Ellie Kemper ignored the faux furor over her appearance, decades ago, at a pavilion with ties to racism. She eventually shared a sad apology over the non-incident.
Will Hanks apologize? We may have to wait and see.
The post Did Chet Hanks Pull Off What Scarlett Johansson, Stephen King Couldn’t? appeared first on Hollywood in Toto.