The campaign video organized by civil rights activists at NAACP features the likes of Kristen Bell, Julianne Moore, Justin Theroux, Aaron Paul and Sarah Paulson among others.
- Jun 12, 2020
AceShowbiz - A new all-star public service announcement featuring white celebrities like Ke$ha, Kristen Bell, and Julianne Moore vowing to step up to fight racism has been heavily criticised on social media.
Justin Theroux, Aaron Paul, and Sarah Paulson are also among the famous faces to front the "I Take Responsibility" campaign, organised by civil rights activists at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and featuring "influential voices from the white community (taking) responsibility for turning the racist tide in America".
In the black-and-white video, the stars stare straight into the camera and declare, "I take responsibility," before sharing an example of an instance in which they may have ignored racial injustice.
Oscar winner Moore shared the clip on her Twitter page on Thursday, June 11 and wrote, "Today, #ITakeResponsibility for my role in eradicating racism in America. Unless white America acknowledges its privilege, systemic racism will persist. Act Now. What will you commit to?"
While some people have applauded the video campaign, others have mocked the stars for "making this about" themselves, and delivering their lines so dramatically, dismissing the footage as "so cringe" and "performative nonsense" from "white saviors".
Meanwhile, British comedian Ricky Gervais also weighed in on the tone-deaf nature of the public service announcement, quipping, "Terrible lack of diversity in this video."
Representatives for the NAACP have yet to respond to the critical comments regarding the campaign, which was released in the wake of ongoing Black Lives Matter protests, sparked by the murder of Minnesota man George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer last month.
