Letitia Wright got herself into a whole mess. Wright is most famous, arguably, for playing Shuri in Black Panther/MCU, and everybody loves her. She seems super-cool, right? She’s British-Guyanese, 27 years old and she lives in Great Britain, which is the first Western country to approve of a coronavirus vaccine this week. So I guess British people are already grappling with when they’ll have mass production on the vaccine and who will take it. Turns out, there are anti-Vaxxers in the UK too. And Letitia is… like, anti-Vaxx adjacent? She posted this on Twitter:
— Letitia Wright (@letitiawright) December 4, 2020
(Update: Wright has now deleted the original tweet, which was a link to the video, described below)
I only watched a little bit of that, enough to see that the guy is a quack. Per THR, the video is “from On The Table, a YouTube discussion channel, where the presenter opined at length about the efficacy of vaccines, the dangers of taking them and the supposed origins of the ingredients of a COVID-19 vaccine.” The guy, Tomi Arayomi, said at one point: “I don’t understand vaccines medically, but I’ve always been a little bit of a skeptic of them.” You get the idea. Dude who is not a doctor, has zero scientific or medical background, but thinks he’s qualified to pontificate about how vaccines are probably evil. When people responded to Letitia with “WTF, why are you posting anti-Vaxx sh-t?” Letitia began responding to people:
not my intention to make anyone upset 🙏🏾 Nor am I saying don’t take it. I’m just concerned about what’s in it that’s all. Isn’t that fair to question or ask?
— Letitia Wright (@letitiawright) December 4, 2020
The responses of “I’m just asking innocent questions” and “why are you yelling at me for simply posting anti-Vaxx conspiracies, you must be a hater” are standard defense-arguments for anti-Vaxxers. Letitia got tons of backlash, and then she tweeted this:
if you don’t conform to popular opinions. but ask questions and think for yourself….you get cancelled 😂
— Letitia Wright (@letitiawright) December 4, 2020
And then people kept on yelling at her and she was replying to them too. Even if you want to believe that Letitia came into this in good faith, merely trying to “start a conversation about vaccines,” her reactions to criticism were A) not great, B) thin-skinned as hell for someone using their platform to spread anti-vaccine pseudoscience, and C) completely out of the Anti-Vaxxer Handbook.
Don Cheadle got in trouble for tweeting-and-deleting a “Bye Felicia” joke without fully realizing why Letitia was complaining about being cancelled. His followers encouraged him to watch the video she posted and he responded with this:
jesus… just scrolled through. hot garbage. every time i stopped and listened, he and everything he said sounded crazy and fkkkd up. i would never defend anybody posting this. but i still won't throw her away over it. the rest i'll take off twitter. had no idea. https://t.co/7uDlP1xwDL
— Don "bruh, you lost" Cheadle (@DonCheadle) December 4, 2020
Update: Wright took down the original tweet and tweeted this, which is a very basic anti-Vaxx talking point.
my intention was not to hurt anyone, my ONLY intention of posting the video was it raised my concerns with what the vaccine contains and what we are putting in our bodies.
Nothing else.
— Letitia Wright (@letitiawright) December 4, 2020
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
I really like Letitia, but the whole “I’m so special because I, unlike everyone else, can think for myself and no one can control me” stance is just so…girl, no. Stop embarrassing yourself.
I don’t really like her, I’ve been looking into her a bit more. I think she’s anti-gay, but wait, it’ll come.
“ I think she’s anti-gay, but wait, it’ll come.”
Pretty much already did. That’s video she shared just to “ask questions” also had some transphobia in it for good measure. Well surprise, surprise. And some of the tweets she likes? She’s at least dabbling with the Q nuts and their anti-Semitism (among other things).
So yeah, how about Okoye as Black Panther? Because the last thing I want to see now is Shuri leading anything.
Ooh, I second Okoye! Shuri looked too thin for me to do all the physical fighting, she’s better as scientist, but Okoye is a warrior and her bringing down large dudes would look more believable.
As someone who doesn’t want to watch these bad videos, may I ask what was homophobic and transphobic in her actions/videos/statements?
I’d rather not start quoting that nonsense; but by way of example of her mindset she likes tweets from Jackie Hill Perry who is an evangelist and self-described “former lesbian” who posts and preaches that vile “pray the gay away” theory. Letitia is showing who she is…I believe her….and it’s not great. 😒
Oh wow. That’s really disappointing and sad.
Uh-oh… re: the anti-gay stuff …hopefully she works through that including for her own sake…often those who the most gay are the most homophobic… just sayin’…my gaydar was pinging all through that movie…
I follow her on Instagram and noticed she is a religious fanatic, and for that reason this doesn’t surprise me. It upsets me because I wanted Shuri to become Black Panther, but…Winston Duke would be so fine with me. And he’s AMAZING.
I refuse to engage the fake-innocence of “I’m just asking questions, is that wrong now?” which I loathe so much. So so much.
“Just Asking Questions” = JAQing off
I read that as Winston Duke is so fine. Lol I totally agree.
Yeah no you’re not “just asking questions” if you’re pretending a vaccine that you don’t understand is worth more scrutiny than a virus that has killed millions.
I meant it both ways Chris, I think he is so hot! And he seems like an amazing person, so yeah I am all for him becoming the next black panther.
Preach Chris!
Same lol! He is SO fine! Definitely agree with this though Shuri ascending the BP throne would make sense, too…
Yes. I used to follow her on Twitter but she is SOOO problematic. I did want her playing Black Panther, now I’m not so sure. I like the Winston Duke idea. He seems amazing.
Never understood actors who are religious fanatics, how does that work exactly? I can understand actors who believe in God without the fanaticism, but fanatics and the entertainment world just seems hypocritical to me. I feel that way about the duggars doing reality tv also, such people seems to preach what they believe rather than live it. They focus on aspect of their faith, in the duggars case, having as many babies as possible, while ignoring other aspect – love thy neighbor including those who doesn’t look, love and think like you.
Her Wiki page says that she struggled with severe depression and became a born-again Christian after attending some actor’s bible study group in London. I think when someone vulnerable falls in with fundamentalist evangelical/charismatic churches it is always more about them than the actual teaching of Jesus.
West Indian parents can be very, very religious and that can have an influence on their kids. (generalization, I know but it is there.)
It’s why I stopped following her on Twitter. Way OTT on the religion stuff for me.
Got questions about a vaccine? Ask a doctor or an immunologist NOT some idiot online who admits he knows nothing.
Some people deserve a backlash when they do very stupid stuff like this. She should take the link down and put up a link (of which there are plenty) from someone who understands how vaccines work.
Exactly! That is bullsh@t. Call a doctor or speak to someone in public health or infectious disease. I’m a nurse and I remember the H1N1 virus and there was talk of a vaccine (I think it was H1N1). What did I do? Spoke to an Infectious Disease doctor I knew about it.
This. Listen to educated, experienced people who are experts in their field. This phenomena of people blindly believing some quack on youtube or facebook is just nuts.
Early on, several people I know posted quack stuff, and when I’d point out that it didn’t make sense (not a scientist or anything, just capable of common sense thought and determining what is an actual qualified source) they always did the same thing “oh, just food for thought” or “oh just something to consider, who knows?” No.
They throw this stuff out there and when called on it, hold up their hands and act innocent, like they’re just curious. It’s like throwing a match on a rag and saying “oh, just curious, hope that doesn’t burn the building down.”
Exactly!!
YES! I came here to say something similar but you’ve got it covered.
No one is telling people not to ask questions. We are however asking that people not engage in conspiratorial theorizing and spew nonsense out of their blowholes. JFC.
Jon Lovett said something that resonated with me, that would you rather risk vaccine side effects or long-haul COVID side effects? Based on what I’ve seen and heard, I’ll take my chances with the vaccine.
She should have just sat there and ate her food.
Why, could are you to tell someone what they should or shouldn’t do with their platform? You may disagree but the sit there and eat.
What else would you tell her to do?
Huh?
You’re saying that she SHOULD spread dangerous disinformation and medical quackery?
Someone with a large platform who is spreading false information needs to shut up. That’s what she is saying. There’s a pandemic killing hundreds of thousands and posting a video of some guy who has opinions despite no training in the field is highly irresponsible.
I appreciate the example don cheadle set. He saw uproar, made a joke- as many of us would, then looked at replies, found the reason people were upset, watched the original posted video, was publicly horrified. Calmly stated (paraphrase) I won’t trash her, but yikes that video.
Listening, correcting course.
Good man.
And also where he said “the rest I’ll take off Twitter” which made me think he planned to call her directly.
That was a terrific example of how to handle conflict like an adult. Nice to see a few examples of mature problem solving after 4 years of toddler tantrums.
I can’t wait to get that vaccine. I don’t think I’ll qualify until summer, but I will be there. I’m kind of terrified of needles, but this will be worth it.
I’m looking forward to it even if it won’t be a quick overnight fix. We’ll be starting sars-cov-2 work in Jan in our level 3 lab and it’ll probably bring me higher on the list, but whatever, I’ll take it whenever I can. I don’t know of an immunologist or virologist who doesn’t want to get the vaccine asap, so that should tell you about what we think about their potential risks
Same. I’m going to be low on the list, and that’s fine, but will get it as soon as possible. A friend of mine is an expert in the field and is very optimistic about the vaccine, will get one ASAP, and is make summer plans.
My daughter has significant special needs, epilepsy etc., so we’ve been locked down since March and take no chances, to the chagrin of our maga families, so I’m not sure where we will all fall on the list of getting the vaccine but I will be skipping into the clinic or where ever I have too to get it and I think I may cry tears of relief when I finally get injected. Completely changing our lives and being essentially isolated since March has been the hardest thing mentally I’ve ever had to do on top of this election, I’m utterly exhausted and checked out at this point.
@Emm
The NYTimes posted a cool interactive tracker to see where you fall in line in terms of priority. I’m far down the list but my elderly mother isn’t, which will bring me great peace.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/12/03/opinion/covid-19-vaccine-timeline.html
Thanks for that link but according to that I’m almost last in line, way behind young adults (which I don’t understand since they seem to be the ones that are fairing better then us middle aged folks) and almost 1 million “others” lol. My daughter would be a lot further up though so that makes me feel better. I’ve just have always had the mindset, and especially now, that I can’t die before her because then who is going to take care of her? That’s a whole other conversation that many special needs parents have weigh heavily on them.
1. Don Cheadle is a class act.
2. The video she shared was also transphobic. I won’t necessarily call her transphobic (I don’t agree with 100% of the content in all videos I share either), but given her born again, evangelical Christian faith, it wouldn’t be surprising if she shared the video’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance.
He really is. I think he was the only one (or at least one of the few) Marvel stars to actually stick up and condemn the bullying Brie Larson was getting
Letitia Wright starred in a British LGBT series called Banana where she played a lesbian. The show had some pretty explicit scenes. That doesn’t mean she couldn’t still be homophobic but just thought I’d post it here as international audiences mightn’t be familiar.
Didn’t she convert (or become more religious) as an adult? Perhaps she shot the series before she became a born again. Or she just needed the money/exposure and decided to “look the other way.”
It’s one thing not to believe in 100% of everything contained in a video that you share online and another thing to share a video that is transphobic. Sharing a video that has a “little” transphobia is sharing a video that advocates transphobia. I get what you’re saying, but not when it comes to videos that contain anti-human rights material. Those just can’t be shared. At all. She believes in that view and is now trying to normalize it by sharing it. I just don’t think there is any excuse here. It’s disappointing and she very, very clearly is not backing down from it, which is all anyone of us need to know.
I’m definitely not trying to make excuses for her. I probably should have used firmer language, but I think my prior affection for her as an actor was unconsciously influencing me to be more understanding than I otherwise would be. Hopefully she can come to understand that being religious doesn’t mean you have to reject science and the right of others to be who they are.
I have no patience for this bullshit. Yet it was predictable. As we are nearing the vaccine the anti vaxxers are going to come out with their “legititimate questions” like werewolves during the fool moon. Also I am loving Don “brugh you lost” Cheadle’s twitter name. Not sure why he would get any heat here though
I don’t agree with the anti-vaccination ideology /beliefs, but as a black woman I am hesitant in taking a vaccine that was quickly pushed through the approval process. Throughout history people of color were used as guinea pigs without our consent for medical research, testing, and experimentation. This was done by the doctors and medical professionals we were supposed to trust. People of color to this day are more likely to experience poor health care do to many factors so I hope people understand a lot of the hesitation and uncertainty in taking this vaccine.
Good point. Obama mentioned this when he was asked about taking the vaccine, too. (He has said he’ll take it when Fauci gives the OK.)
This is honestly such a hard time. I completely empathize with people being scared of the vaccine. Trump has done a lot of undermine the credibility of it. And, like you said, there’s a whole history there with people of color that gets overlooked.
There’s supposed to be a town hall tonight on CNN about the vaccine, and I plan to watch it to try and educate myself.
@BRAEBRE0414 it is understandable. It is. But it’s important to differentiate between people like you who intelligently lay out the historical reasons for your concerns, and people like Letitia who share a transphobic YouTube rant and start screeching about “Satan” and pulling out a Bible because she doesn’t know the word “Luciferase” (a Latin term meaning light bearer and an enzyme used commonly in biotechnology). I guess her Google is broken? She’s inexcusable.
Absolutely, I get this, it’s legit. But that’s not what she’s doing.
Co-sign what you said. I believe in vaccines and have always been diligent with my inoculations/booster shots/seasonal flu shots but I am hesitant to take something that was produced in less than a year.
Plus, I was watching the NYC Mayor’s daily coronavirus briefing yesterday, and a journalist rightfully brought up that one of the vaccines lacked PoC in the control groups (I think it was the Moderna vaccine) so there was less info on the overall health outcomes for us.
I wanted to share the link for those interested in viewing (and verifying) what I posted above: https://youtu.be/oasEMQEQ0PU.
At 29:20 a journalist asks about the lack of diversity in the clinical trials.
At 50:03 another journalist asks the Mayor how his office will be strategic in getting buy in from the Black and brown community in NYC given the historical medical abuse and experimentation we’ve suffered.
The vaccine didn’t skip a bunch of steps of development, it’s just that these pharmaceutical giants focused all of their energy on these specific treatments. A lot of vaccine development takes a long time partially from beauracratic shiz between companies, labs, and the government, but they were all working in lock step for this.
However, of all of the uneasiness about the vaccine, the doubt from the black community makes total sense. Historically and even today, healthcare and science has given the black community reason to be distrustful. I really wish and hope this is something addressed by the scientific and medical communities. This deserves actual attention as opposed to this weird anti-vax qanon bs.
The issue is that the UK gov is facing backlash for the perceived ‘rushing’ through approval of the vaccine (the gloating of our politicians is another thing) – the head of the UK’s MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) has since come out and said that the reason that they approved it quickly was simply because they had the capacity to do so as they are not currently working as much with EU regulators due to Brexit. Also because they used emergency regulations, under EU law, that allowed member states to grant temporary approval in a pandemic.
Everyone who knows more about this stuff than I do are saying that its safe.
This was addressed on CNN this morning. They will be having a special town hall tonight.
Agreed
I live in a primarily Black neighborhood and city that was hit HARD. I haven’t spoken to one person who said they wouldn’t get it. So many of them lost family members, neighbors and friends. Some also have multiple generations living either in the same household or in close proximity. Every single person I know is anxiously awaiting the vaccine. I heard my neighbors praying about it on their front porch about a month ago.
I’ll be completely honest, I’m not planning to get the vaccine right away. Im not anti-vaccine. I had an MMR a few years ago and regularly have to get the chicken pox vaccine, am considering getting the HPV vaccine and Ive never had a flu shot.
I just take a really long time to get shots. I do also want to point out….blacks are typically more cautious in general when it comes to vaccines. There’s a lot of well placed hesitancy there. POC really have to worry about what’s in it. And Obama, a former US President, going on TV and getting the vaccine is not going to help average Roberta Jefferson feel better that something harmful may or may not be in her vaccine that isnt in Amy Green’s.
So, I might get it, at some point, but definetly not the first round.
I’m concerned about how quickly this vaccine has come together and the possible side effects. A rushed manufacturing process means not only do we have to worry about vaccine efficacy, but vaccine mismanufacturing. Such misproduction is what caused issues with the Polio vaccine. These are valid concerns. I will talk to my doctor and the biologist experts I know about these concerns. I hope and expect to get reassuring answers.
But this whole “I’m just concerned about what we’re putting in our bodies” shtick is just anti-vaxx rhetoric. She isn’t looking for discussion; she’s looking to justify her stance not to take the vaccine. And clearly does not know what a reputable source is.
To an extent, I do understand why certain groups of people might be skeptical of vaccines. For example, I’ve spent a lot of time working on reservations and other indigenous communities, in the US and Canada, and they have not forgotten the smallpox blankets. Black Americans haven’t forgotten Tuskegee. In Africa, Western scientists subjected people to all sorts of medical experiments for many years, usually without informed consent. I think it would help IMMENSELY if governments acknowledged their history of germ warfare and medical abuse. Ignoring that history just encourages the conspiracy theories.
Anti vaxx rhetoric is becoming more prevalent in my local wellness community. It’s very alarming that these seemingly intelligent women can be indoctrinated so quickly by watching a few quacks on YouTube and listening to podcasts. Elderberry syrup, Vitamin C & mushrooms won’t “heal” the mumps! Tired of all these dumb a-holes. It’s like we’re entering a second Dark Ages.
It’s that knee jerk reaction against anything “not natural” that makes me rebel against some strains of pro-organic, pro-wholesome type stuff. I avoid “natural” skin care. I avoid the hell out of essential oils. I just do not want to give money to people who may be supporting anti-vaxxers and the like because yeah, it does feel like some of these people would be content for a second Dark Ages.
It’s also frustrating because natural does not equal safe. A lot of synthetic chemicals are widely tested over and over to ensure they’re safe for skincare. Lead and arsenic are also natural. It drives me up the wall to see people say “chemical free.” That’s not… how it works. Stop slapping lemon juice on your face instagrammers, it’s highly acidic and can be damaging to your skin.
I fully understand why minority communities have issues with the medical community. Their concerns are absolutely valid. However, why do rich and middle class white ladies buy into this stuff?
Yep. Death Camas and Death Angel are both natural, but there’s a reason ‘death’ is in the name.
I had an Aunt who died because she refused to take her diabetes medicine because she was convinced she could take care of it holistically alone. Yes, a healthy diet helps, but it doesn’t replace medicine.
To be clear, it depends on the type of diabetes. If you’re type 2, you can manage it with diet and exercise alone, with close monitoring and support from a doctor. If you’re type 1, though, that’s different.
Source: husband is a type 2 diabetic.
Snuffles, It also depends on how severe your Type2 is (how low/high are your numbers), your age, other co-morbidities, etc. SOME Type 2 CAN be managed with diet/exercise (like my dad, diagnosed w/it at 93 (!!) and doesn’t need meds). My grandmother however, died at 76 from complications of Type2 diabetes, and needed medication. You can’t give a blanket statement.
@sigmund tell that to my mom who weighs 110 and is 5″6 and has to shoot insulin 3 times a day.
She is also type 2
Diet does not control type 2 for everyone
I had the COVID and for me this woman is cancelled.
It drives me crazy when I see BS like this about vaccines. Just because YOU don’t understand the vaccine, how it works, and how it’s developed doesn’t mean there’s something nefarious going on. I work at a research university with people who develop vaccines and these people are not deciding overnight what goes in vaccines. They’re basing the treatment on years and years of prior research. They (the scientists who created the vaccines, not our scientists) know how mRNA treatments work (it’s new, but so promising we may be seeing a leap forward in science) and we know how coronaviruses work. While COVID 19 is new and there’s a lot we don’t know about it, it’s not like scientists are going in without any prior knowledge. There’s probably a lot of reasons it was approved so fast but it’s definitely in part to quickly cutting through red tape that normally takes years and devoting tons of resources to get it through development stages. It wasn’t approved without human testing. It’s true that we don’t have long term results, but we just don’t have the time to wait for that with this virus.
You don’t even have to take my word for it, honestly don’t, I’m a stranger on the internet. Do as everyone else suggested find out information from reputable immunologists and scientists working in that field if you have serious concerns.
I know I’m preaching to the choir here, but it’s the second time today that I’ve seen this nonsense from people on the internet and I’m just so frustrated.
I completely understand the hesitance people have (especially black people) but I agree. They didn’t make this vaccine out of their ass. And while this is a new type of Coronvirus, Coronovirus’ have been around for a bit and I’m guessing that’s where the research has come from.
Yes, I understand the hesitation too. The thing is, you can decide to wait and not get the vaccine right away and still choose not to spread anti-vaxx disinformation on your social media. Both things are possible!
@MF1: I know. I’m not saying she’s right. At all.
This morning, on Today, Savanah Guthrie interviewed Dr. Fauci. He said while it IS fast, it is not just “thrown together” out of air. It’s based on past research. He also said while we *don’t* have very long term results, with the OVERWHELMING majority of vaccines, side effects are seen w/in the first 45-60 DAYS after injection. They HAVE passed this with their trials.
*Might* we see more/learn more? Of course…but chances are, it’s better than what can happen to you surviving Covid (throwing blood clots causing strokes, inflamed heart tissue, vascular damage…to name a few). YOU CAN *NOT* GET*COVID* FROM THIS INJECTION. IT IS *NOT* A “LIVE” VACCINE. That is important for everyone to know!
My fear is that people will experience some normal reactions (low fever, muscle aches (esp at injection site) fatigue) after the 1st injection, and will start rumor mongering that they NOW HAVE covid, and not go back for the 2nd injection.
After my stem cell transplant, I had to be revaccinated, as if I was a baby. Did I experience those common reactions? Sure did, for most of the injections. Will I be lining up to get my Covid shot? In a heartbeat, if Dr. Fauci says it is safe to do so. IN. A. HEARTBEAT.
Thank you for pointing out that this vaccine isn’t being made from scratch. That is something most folks don’t understand. Ultimately, it’s “do you want to face the uncertainty of the vaccine or the uncertainty of the virus?” While having questions is understandable, nothing we put into our bodies for a vaccine is likely to be worse than the virus itself, which is unpredictable and can be worse if you are infected more than once.
Today, I overhead a video of an interview or panel where the doctor being questioned was an OB/GYN who was skeptical about the vaccine.
And I’m thinking…so you are a practicing OB/GYN, but you’re going to start weighing in on vaccines? Please stay in your lane! So many keyboard experts all of a sudden.
A local doctor here said this summer, as hoards of tourist flocked to our shore towns “it’s not that bad, we should go back to normal, with indoor dining and gatherings!” Was he an expert on viruses? No. He’s a radiologist.
It also turned out he’s a local politician, and for sure was getting pressured by all the restaurant owners and stuff.
Thanks for this info! This is exactly what irritates me about her “I’m just asking questions about what we’re putting in our bodies” line. Fine – but ask an immunologist or another knowledgeable scientific professional, not some dumbass on the internet who admits he doesn’t know how vaccines work! That isn’t thinking for yourself, that’s asking for the lawyer to fly the airplane. Smh at these dangerous fools (esp those with platforms)
Uff da. Don Cheadle won’t “throw her away” (good for him! If they haven’t been colleagues directly, they are both in the same industry), but I will! I have no energy or goodwill reserved for anti-vaxxers who use the same faux-innocent playbook. “I’m just asking questions! Is it wrong to talk about the issues?” Why, yes, yes it is when your aim is to sow fear and get fewer people to take the vaccine.
I’m not jazzed about getting it, but that’s a function of how much I fear coronavirus and its complications and if this is a dead virus vaccine I’ll feel better about it vs and attenuated, but I’ll still get it.
Black people’s concerns about the medical profession at large are completely understandable. I don’t see how the history of Black people’s mistreatment and their current quality of care is her issue. She’s gooping it up and if tomorrow she talks about “clean” skincare and our “toxic” environment, I won’t be surprised.
I said this yesterday, but listen to the people who have actually developed the vaccines. The new technology has been researched for decades. Just because we never knew about it, doesn’t mean it’s actually that new. The reason it usually takes a lot longer to develop any new vaccine is because unlike this time, money and resources are often an issue. The entire world was suddenly interested in getting this done. At Biontech they worked 24 hours a day every day including weekends. It is not a miracle and it’s not suspect. It’s pretty logical if you ask me.
Yeah, I mean her words on this are so white, it could be goop, but like goop after she became born again. She’s not getting a pass with me on this, I can read for comprehension. I know what she’s doing. And I know it has zip zilch zero to do with some really disgusting and slimy american history and things like Tuskegee. I mean, this is KAREN all the way baby. And it doesn’t fly with me. Not all of us are sitting on Marvel money. And let’s face it, celebrities aren’t on any lockdown. We all know it. I want my life back too.
I’m getting the vaccine as soon as it’s my turn. I’m in my 30s and healthy with a no-risk job so I’ll be in the last group probably. Which is fine. It means my situation in general is a great one so a few more months are not going to do me in.
I find it interesting, btw, that the people who “just ask questions” always ask randoms on the internet instead of actual scientists. What is some rando on YouTube who knows as much as you do going to teach you? I’m tired. I thought science mattered. This is bullshit.
Yeah I like to think of it as if you knew you had to paint a room in your house, it’d take you maybe two weeks if you’re squeezing in time after work. If you took two days off of work, you’d get it done much much faster. It’s not that the job was rushed, it’s just that you prioritized painting. The vaccine is the same way. They didn’t just skip important steps, they just dedicated all of their time and resources to it.
This is a great example.
@emmy, you’re absolutely right on the first point. Minorities have good reason to be skeptical.
But in that case, ask the right questions of the right people. Ask a Black doctor or immunologist. Stop listening to Youtube quacks. She has the means.
It was a black, female immunologist (Kizzmekia Corbett) that lead the development of the Moderna vaccine.
https://twitter.com/marsha_vivinate/status/1333435040852713472?s=21
@ Snuffles – Thanks for this information. I will forward this to others who need to know.
Yeah, that’s kind of what frustrates me. I think black Americans, especially black women, have perfectly legitimate reasons to be wary of the medical infrastructure of America and its capitalistic setup, but that’s not what she’s bringing to the table. If you want to talk real concerns about safety protocols in rushed production, fine. If you want to talk about the limited data we have on the long term immune response to COVID virus, totally acceptable. But what goes into vaccines, how vaccines are made, whether they work, and the general risk/benefit analysis is well researched and out there ready for consumption. It’s not on grandma’s facebook page – it’s on well-funded government sites that provide most of that material free.
I think it’s very telling that the video has now been removed for violating YouTube’s TOS. Considering how much trash YT lets through on a regular basis, this had to be stepping into some serious problematic territory. You have a platform, be responsible with what you put on it.
Letitia – ask yourself those innocent questions by yourself and then read what legitimate doctors and researchers have to say about it. Don’t take it to Twitter.
Personally, I can’t wait to get the vaccine. I don’t think my life will change too much for several months after (I’m not just going “back to normal” when half the country isn’t willing to get vaccinated, and sadly once the vaccine is available I don’t think any social distancing measures will remain in place), but I still can’t wait to get it. At least I’ll be able to see my dad (who has been back in his office since June) without being nervous and keeping my distance. I’ve had to get the flu shot my entire life due to other health concerns – I’ve never had the luxury of taking time to ponder what’s in it. And (knock wood!) I’ve never gotten the flu.
I was skeptical at first, but after doing my research, I’ll be getting the vaccine. Will probably be in the category of those getting theirs during the summer.
I’m still keeping my distance and am strongly considering keeping the mask for 2021.
Lemons, I’m definitely keeping the mask for 2021 even after being vaccinated! It will be a while until we know how effective it is in lessening cases and how much of the population opts to get it.
For public transportation, I see myself wearing a mask for the rest of my life, honestly.
@Case, my partner and I have said the same thing. We plan on wearing a mask on public transportation here and on all our travels abroad from now on. We just narrowly missed getting caught up in the initial Italy outbreak and I don’t know if I’ll ever feel as carefree traveling as we always have in the past. Time will tell, I guess.
As far as the vaccine goes, my barometer has always been Dr. Fauci. If he stands behind it, we are ready to take it as soon as it is available to us .
I have zero patience for anti-vaxxers.
On a side note, did anyone else take the quiz in NYT to see when they qualify to get the vaccine? I have 23mm people in front of me.
That’s interesting! I got the same result. I have some minor risk factors, but given that I’m non-essential, live alone, and can work from home, I’m good to wait until those who need it first get it.
I’m a health care worker so I’ll probably get it soon-ish which I’m glad about. I have cared for COVID-19 patients and it is a horrifying thought lingering in my mind at all times. Despite PPE, am I getting it from my patient? As I can’t control everyone who stands in line with me at the grocery store or gas station, am I going to get it and and pass it on to my family or patients? I get tested every week, so far negative, but it’s always there in my mind. And while the vaccine will provide protection to a large extent, we need to accept that certain aspects of our quarantine behavior will need to become permanent in the near future when it comes to social distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, even mask wearing.
There’s no room in my life for anyone who thinks they’ve cornered the market on intelligent thought, ‘researched’ conclusions, loud persuasion and passive aggressive hubris.
I understand why we as black Americans hesitate but those concerns warrant a conversation with black medical professionals not some guy who has no experience in epidemiology or virology…..she seems like a religious hotep tho so I’m not too surprised. It’ll suck watching her play a character who loves and believe in science knowing she’s like this.
I’m not an anti-vaxxer, I get my flu shot every year, and any vaccines recommended by doctors (the last I got was the HPV vaccine when I was 18 right before I went to college). But I am nervous about getting a vaccine that was developed in less than a year and I know I’m not the only one. I think it’s justified to be nervous because so much is unknown when it comes to this virus. I’m sure the scientists know what they’re doing and so much money was funded because everybody in the world wants a vaccine developed. But I’m glad I won’t be in the prioritized groups of people (I’m in my 30s right now and not a frontline worker nor do I work in a nursing home). I’d rather wait to see what happens with the first groups who receive the vaccines. I’m sure nothing bad will happen but it will make me feel reassured once I see people are getting it and not having bad side effects. By the time my turn comes along, so many people will have received it, it’ll be no biggie. I have a friend who is a nurse who will most likely in the first groups of people to receive it so I plan to ask her about it once she gets it.
I think people are seeing anti vaxx and thinking a letitia is coming from the same place as a Jenny or goop. Honestly after listening to a podcast about Tuskegee despite being in the black young millennial women always online with severe underlying conditions that have kept me in my house on pure lockdown demo that should make me celebrate a vaccine I’m even more hesistant about taking the vaccine in the first try. Learning about what western medicine does to black people, my main problem isn’t even the fact that they do horrible inhumane stuff to black people it’s how blasé science is about doing in inhumane stuff to black people. We are not people to them. Just like we are not people to many sectors of western society. My moms a nurse, I work in the health industry and understand the science of infectious diseases and vaccines Andover been sooooooannoyed about people not following the science of prevention like masks and social distancing and YET I will be upfront I’m not seeing myself on the front line of that vaccine. And before people get upset I highly doubt a lot of black people are gonna want to be. My moms an icu nurse and I know for a fact the only reason she may get that vaccine quick is cuz her hospital will probably make it mandatory. And she has been extra paranoid about the disease because of me and my health issues. I think a lot of people in the college educated whites demo are gonna be shocked at the deep mistrust around the vaccine rollout. I mean the former president literally told people to inject bleach and for all his absence he is STILL the president. The cdc has been releasing the most inane stupid info all pandemic and I’m supposed to trust they have my back. Add that to the companies pushing for no liability and having to be legally forced to diverse their test groups. Vaccines that have been around for decades are one thing we have tons of info about them. But I’m supposed to trust that capitalism and a maga government have MY back. And this isn’t just black people. I bet people from all types of minority groups are going to wait a long time if they aren’t forced and that maga Supreme Court is going to legally prevent us from being forced. People can take about anti vaxx but if this bothers you now then I can basically assure you you will HATE the upcoming months of this vaccine rollout. Cuz I truly believe a lot of groups are going to fight this thing or refuse to get it unless you find something to convince them that all the valid mistrust they have over the western health world doesn’t fit for this specific case. 🤷🏾♀️
Sorry, but she is coming from the same place as Jenny or Goop. Worse, because she’s Evangelical GOOP. (Goop has never been a transphobe, as far as I know.) She is a QAnon truther. (Again, GOOP is not.) She is Bible Drunk, and people should call her out on it. She is dangerous PRECISELY BECAUSE of the history of Tuskegee. She has deep reach in one of the communities most likely to be suspicious of vaccines and she is using that reach to sow misinformation.
EFF HER.
What she is done is worse that anything Pratt has done and she should be treated accordingly. (I hate Pratt too, but he’s not what I’m talking about now.) People are letting their affection for a movie she was in blind them to her dangerous behavior. That is foolish.
I bet Marvel/Disney are at least a little glad she showed herself early enough for them to adjust whatever their Black Panther plans were for her. She cannot be the lead of a of a movie like this. She could not handle the press/scrutiny without torpedoing the whole thing. Imagine the press conferences!
And speaking of Trump, based on her “likes”, I bet she supports him. Her response to the Biden win was…telling.
I’m not gonna argue about anything beyond the virus because I agree with you there but I will say I disagree with saying she is worse in vaccines. The Jenny and goops CREATED mistrust. Their push (and while goop may not be anti vaxx she definitely works in the space of alt medicine for rich white women who wants to be special) created circumstance that led to a downturn in vaccinations. Communities that were fine with vaccines suddenly stopped. Black people have NEVER trusted white medicine. Wright is a product of the blacks people mistrust. I don’t know your ethnicity but if you aren’t black I promise black people don’t trust this vaccine. My community has been so hit that I doubt 1 black person doesn’t know someone that hasn’t been deeply affected or died. My mom is a literal icu nurse. And soooooooo many of those aunties that don’t know wrights name are hesistant. Hesistant doesn’t mean they won’t take it but you may have to convince them or they won’t get it quick. I have been a shut in cuz my health is bad already. I’m in the best black demo to create the highest levels of trust in science and medicine. I work in the industry and even I side eye this. I intellectually say it will be fine but emotionally I’m hesistant. Wright isn’t responsible for that. The mistrust is already there. And you can blame her for that but it won’t change the situation that when the rollout starts minority groups that have been deeply hurt by medicine and science are not going to be easy to convince. The same government that pays the police that harass and kill black people is the same government that’s gonna say take this shot. I feel like people are gonna react to this the way that they react to Cubans voting trump. Black people if you look carefully are speaking about this but the mainstream and white communities are ignoring them or dismissing their concerns and when the vaccine rollout starts i expect a lot of white journalists are gonna say why aren’t black people or Orthodox Jews or any minority group taking the vaccine. What’s wrong with them? Centuries of mistrust is not gonna go away in a few weeks/months. Be angry about it but dismissing it is not gonna be effective or get blacks to take those vaccines. Wright saying she loves vaccines tomorrow isn’t gonna change the reality on the ground.
She deleted the original retweet this morning. Marvel has been in touch. I personally agree with you that they need to adjust whatever plans they had regarding Shuri becoming the lead. At least as long as Wright is playing her. But we’ll see what they do. They’re in a tough spot, but maybe not since I don’t believe anyone from Marvel actually ever said Shuri would be the black panther. That gives them some room.
Edit, above is to tcbc
Susie, you’re right. But she’s fomenting more distrust from a perch of high privilege. I think Obama is getting the vaccine on tv, because of exactly everything you wrote here. You’re right. But it doesn’t let her off the hook, and I’m sorry but IMO she’s not coming from a place of black mistrust, she’s coming from a place of whackadoo evangelicals. And she isn’t going to get a pass from me on that because she’s black. I want my life back. I am not telling black women how to feel about her, go ahead. For me, a huge Marvel fan, she’s done. She’s done in this house. I won’t watch anything she appears in.
Because I want my life back. And no one is going to stand in the way of that. And I don’t care.
It’s not my intention to convince anyone to make a specific choice about their health. I wish Black people didn’t have these valid reasons to be suspicious but you do and who am I to tell you anything. I do hope this vaccine is safe and effective for all of us and that in time, at least some trust can be built. For me personally (a white woman) I see no real choice but to take it because looking at the world, this crap can’t go on. So maybe Black people don’t have to be among the first if they don’t wish to be, maybe the rest of us can step up. But we’re not known to do that so I share your view that it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
I hope that in general people stop discussing wild conspiracy theories about Bill Gates and how climate science is a hoax and come back from the Dark Ages. It’s exhausting and then when people like you have legitimate concerns, others lose their shit immediately because everyone’s already trying to get goop to stop gooping. Science gets it wrong sometimes. But it’s really all we have.
I won’t be cancelling her. Although I disagree with her, I am going to support this Black actress until the end. She 100% has my support and I will continue to watch her movies
Eh, I don’t think she should be cancelled or lose her job. I just need her to exercise a little more discretion in what she posts to a wide platform. There are a lot of legitimate concerns she could’ve talked about without resorting to pseudoscientific fearmongering from a non-medical professional. She got the backlash earned from putting dumb shit on the Internet and being condescending about it in the follow up. Price paid.
Now, if she decides to double down on that shit in the future? That’s just her being an idiot, and that’s her own fault if there are consequences.
As a black woman I’m waiting to take the vaccine. I want to know what if any information on testing within my community has been done. I have medical issues and I also work with immunologists at work so I’m going to be asking them to help me decipher the info. I’m thrilled there’s a vaccine but do I need more info-yeah.
I understand the hesitancy about how quickly the vaccine was developed, but I have a friend who is an immunologist and works on vaccine development (though not this one in particular). I spoke to her about this very subject matter recently and she explained that scientists have been studying the family of coronaviruses for a while and this one in particular was a prime candidate to bear the fruit of years worth of research. This isn’t the first coronavirus to gain prominence (SARS and MERS were others, though they didn’t get quite as far as SARS-COV-2). COVID-19’s genetic sequence was very similar to all of the coronaviruses that scientists were in the process of studying and researchers could leverage the work they did in order to generate these vaccines.
Personally, I can’t wait to get the vaccine. It won’t immediately change much because we’ll still be in this same boat while it takes a long time to get virus levels down and to get a critical mass of inoculation among the general population, but I’m hopeful. I work in the performing arts and my sector is literally shut down because we can’t do anything until this goes away. I have my job because I have a very specific skillset and work in institutional administration, but it’s been absolutely devastating financially on most people who work in my industry. At this point, I’m getting the vaccine as much for them as I am for myself.
Also, should point out that we’re now at a point in most places in this country where the virus is so widespread that people who do their best to wear masks and maintain social distancing are getting it because both of those things do not reduce probability of transmission to zero. So it may be fatalistic to say so, but at this point, my decision is largely being driven by “am I more likely to get an adverse reaction to the vaccine?” or “am I more likely to get COVID because too many people are running around like lunatics and refuse to get their ish together?”
I really wish people like her and all the anti-maskers/anti-vaxxers were only risking their own lives. But of course they’re not. And the Donald Trumps of the world never die of this thing. It’s always the person who serves their meals/drives their cars/makes their beds who get hit the hardest. And these nuts just sit on their money and tweet away.
I’m not cancelling her, Black women don’t get the same level of second chances and sympathy white women do. But I sincerely hope she learns something from being dragged and that he colleagues educate her so that she knows to do better. I know she’s had vulnerable moments in terms of mental health and some of that church stuff is straight up cult think. So, I hope she snaps out of it and finds a healthier spirituality.
I think she’s a great actress but the harmful nonsense needs to go.
Props to Don Cheadle staying classy.
After hearing my antimask uncle was taken to the hosputal by ambulance overnight because his COVID was so out of control, i ran into a mutual acquaintance and the conversation went like this:
Them: I won’t wear a mask or get a vaccine because the Lord will protect me.”
Me: “You don’t walk out into traffic thinking that the Lord will protect you.”
Them: “That’s totally different.”
Me: “The Lord is handing you a mask and a vaccine but you refuse his help. That’s not trusting in the Lord.”
There is no way to have a rational conversation with some people.
My guess is that some places (like film sets) are going to require seeing an immunization sheet from cast and crew before the movie can get insurance to start filming.
Right? I asked this woman in our building lobby (mandatory masking) to please put on a mask, that I had an extra one, and she started screaming at me to mind my own business and then went into some rant about may Jesus save you. And I wanted to be like, listen, if you want to talk about Jesus, the actual badass who was for the People, then *Jesus* would have worn a damn mask and he would have asked you to wear one, too. smdh Trying to scream at me about Jesus while not wearing a mask. lol but also crying…
It’s the “Lucifer connection” stuff that really got me. She was definitely sounding a little Qanon-lite and it’s scary to see how these conspiracy theories are spreading beyond the usual right-wing nut jobs and are gradually becoming mainstream.
In Spanish, Luz is a common name which means “light”. can you imagine, a female name that is somehow related to Lucifer, poor women, they are for sure going to hell! (eyeroll).
She needs to study a little etymology. Both come from the Latin language, it is not a “bad name”.
For real, I really wanted to support her, but I can’t with these views in the current climate. Read the room.
Colonialism and the etymology of words… Of course Lucifer–light!!!–would be turned into something hateful by Christianity. Because they have to create a dark construction into order to conceive of their own light. So hateful. (And I can speak on this as someone who spent 18 years being indoctrinated and nearly obliterated by fundamentalist Christians…)
I’m undecided about the COVID vaccine at this point but I’m definitely not an anti-vaxxer. I’m not an essential worker nor over 80 so I won’t be in the first group so I can wait a while and see what happens. I get a flu shot every year, it’s the best thing ever but I know plenty of people that won’t get it. So I know they will probably not get the vaccine.
My sincere hope is that a lot of airlines and companies won’t let you in unless you have proof of vaccination. We won’t be at the point of herd immunity for years and I won’t feel comfortable jumping on an airplane just yet even once vaccinated (Quantas has already announced you must have documentation to fly with them, for example).
Herd immunity doesn’t exist for this particular virus. Wear a mask, take the vaccine when the time comes.
Exactly. A new virus is encountering hundreds of millions of people who haven’t been exposed to it before, and taking millions of them down. We’ve lost 1.5 million worldwide. 40 million recovered with some portion thereof with permanently scarred lungs, “longhaulers” who struggle with being short of breath and exhausted. Everybody has their own acceptable or unacceptable level of risk, and that’s important for medical autonomy.
The problem is, this isn’t like measles or streptococcus where there’s a certain background level of infection and you have lots of time to think about getting the absolute safest vaccine, or where other people’s immunity will reduce your exposure. This is your basic viral tsunami. So you might want to readjust your risk tolerance a little bit. Also, if you’re waiting for nonvaccine “natural” immunity, just remember that it’s going to be at the cost of people dying. The virus will select out those people who have a genetic susceptibility and kill or maim them. Yeah, the ones who survive have “natural” immunity. Mostly by sheer dumb luck. Might be you. Might not. It is also possible some people will have adverse reactions to the vaccine. No one is guaranteed absolute safety in this life. You have to look at the statistics and figure out what risk is acceptable for you. If you drive a car, you do that all the time, right? But please just wear the damn mask OK?
Whatever lady. Since we won’t be the first ones to get the vaccine (it would be healthcare professionals, people working with the elderly, the elderly, people who have extensive medical issues), we would know for sure, by the time we get the vaccine, whether it would work or not. Her innocent tweet is disingenuous at best.
I have a close friend who has gotten hooked into the Anti vaxx train. She’s retired and… Honestly, I’m not sure if I can keep being friends with her. Anti vaxers legit sound like crazy people. It’s almost like trying to debate a drunk narcissist. You can’t win. I am all for science and I am for sure taking that vaccine when it arrives in Toronto!
Lupita Nyong’o’s character makes more narrative sense than Winston Duke’s character, and Lupita is someone the studio would consider a much safer bet at the box office that Danai Gurira.
Lupita has a terrible reputation behind closed doors…
Blinkbanana, why?
I am fine with people bringing up legitimate concerns about issues with production of the vaccine in a short time frame, but the actual science behind how we vaccinate and what goes into a vaccine is well established and easy enough to research at this point, and it’s exhausting to watch ignorant people with a massive information device at their fingertips repeat nonsense from uneducated morons or people with a political agenda. There are legitimate reasons to question the motivations of Big Pharma and how they do things and whether certain demographics may need extended vaccination schedules, which is why it is so frustrating to see it derailed by stuff that isn’t a real issue.
Mark my words, by the time this is done, Facebook and Twitter will have as much responsibility for the number of people who will die due to their lack of responsibility for the contact people put on their platforms.
As usual black women are never afforded second chances. Every time there is a post about a black female celebrity I notice the tone in the comments section is always different.
I am not white, nor American, and I can assure you that the backlash in my native language twitter exists too, and would for any famous celeb with these type of views. I’ve read quite some tweets lamenting that she thinks this way and comparing her to Miguel Bosé.
I am sad she thinks this way, but she is entitled to, the problem for me is that she has too big a platform to spout uninformed trash. She could have gotten better info from actual scientists if she is so worried, and try to be less of a religious bigot (the name, really?), more responsible before going public with this to millions of people.
For the most part the tone in this thread is actually quite measured. You can compare it to the Djokovic discussions months ago and see for yourself. Most of us here have not actually “canceled” her at all. But this is literally a life and death issue for many people so yeah, some get upset.
I disagreed with everything Letitia wrote as the video. Black people have be abused and murdered especially by scientists and medical professionals that there is an inherent distrust. That on top of being in mostly white spaces it feels like black women can never be wrong or step one foot out of place at all. So I’m sorry if every time I come to this website and there is a post about a black woman I feel there is always criticism in the comment section. Someone like Chris evans can cozy up to the Republican Party talking about “both sides” and y’all thirst over him still even though republicans are mostly responsible for almost 300,000 Covid deaths. That’s just how I feel. Letitia is wrong for what she posted but how often are people going to through this back in her face if she grows and decides to do something worth while.
Drew, I don’t agree with Leticia but I don’t hate her for it. I do agree with you. I’m too old to know or care who Chris Evans is but I would be the last person to thirst over him.
I offer people second chances when their opinions don’t threaten the lives of others through misinformation.
Very interesting discussions today. Edifying. Thank you, CB community!
She has ended her shot at being the Black Panther. I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney even recasts Shuri. Becoming Black Panther would be a good redemption arc for W’Kabi. Okoye would be good. Or M’Baku. Or whoever takes over the role of Shuri.
“I’m an independent thinker and ask questions, therefore I understand this…” DO YOU EVEN SCIENCE, BRUH??
Okay, I figured out how to do Black Panther 2 – T’Challa and Lupita Nyong’o have married and have identical twin boys. Whatever ends up killing T’Challa is such a threat to the children that they are split up, one sent to the future and one to the past. Shuri travels back in time to be the guardian of one of them, so you can keep the character but recast someone much older.
When the future son returns to the present time to claim the throne, who do you think it is? It’s de-aged Samuel L Jackson! And he has to team up with his long lost twin, Nick Fury. Two Samuel L Jacksons!
Hahahahahahaha….that plot is just crazy enough to work…
I give you an A+ for creativity.
omg @coco lolz This is perfection!
She’s liking anti-Black Panther tweets that say the film should be cancelled.
I don’t know wtf happened to her, but she straight up committed career suicide and we’re watching it unfold before our very eyes. It’s bizarre.
Cancel culture doesn’t actually exist. However, it saddens me that Letitia could end her career over being a wacky Bible Thumper, yet homophobic, animal abuser Crisp Ratt and racist transphobe RDJ will still keep their jobs.
Yes. And as others have posted above, it’s the usual Black women don’t get second chances. I understand the upset. I understand what she’s said and promoted is deeply controversial and problematic and even dangerous. I also know that so many white people especially the faves here get chance after chance. Not saying what she said shouldn’t be addressed, and I’m glad that Don Cheadle is taking on the task of addressing her publicly and/or privately on this.
Hire Amandla Stenberg as the new Shuri.
Fire Letitia Wright, Chris Pratt, RDJ, James Gunn, and any other trash you’ve got hidden.
Make Lupita the new Black Panther.
I refuse to cancel her. Folks stay giving passes to folks who’ve done much worse. And even so I refuse to cancel her.
Well she deleted her social media accounts, I guess she cancelled herself
Well if she really wants to be a free thinker she should start by opening more books besides the Bible or checking more sources appart from Yotube and Facebook.
Sorry but I cannot digest antivaxxer $h1t coming in any form or from anyone. So no patience for this person. She got the backlash she was looking for.
I’m nervous about getting the vaccine. Guess what? I am doing it anyway for more reasons than I can list. I also want my life back and to not go to work or leave my house wondering if this is the day I catch it. My biggest fear is unknowlingly giving it to someone more vulnerable than I.