Michelle Rodriguez says Liam Neeson can’t be racist because of the way he kissed Viola Davis in Widows

Actor Liam Neeson has been at the centre of controversy after the told The Independent that after learning about a close friend being raped, he walked around black neighbourhoods looking to “kill” a “black b******.”

He said:

I’m ashamed to say that – and I did it for maybe a week, hoping some [Neeson gestures air quotes with his fingers] ‘black b******’ would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could," – he paused again – "kill him.”

The latest person to come to his defence is actress Michelle Rodriguez, who told Vanity Fair Liam Neeson can’t be racist because of the way he kissed Viola Davis in Widows. Speaking at the amfAR Gala New York on Wednesday night, the Fast and Furious actress said:

 It’s all f**kin’ bulls**t. Liam Neeson is not a racist.

Dude, have you watched Widows? His tongue was so far down Viola Davis’s throat.

You can’t call him a racist ever.

Racists don’t make out with the race that they hate, especially in the way he does with his tongue—so deep down her throat.

I don’t care how good of an actor you are.

It’s all bulls**t. Ignore it. He’s not a racist. He’s a loving man. It’s all lies.

People aren't quite sure what to make of Rodriguez' "litmus test" for racism

Others are applying the basis of her argument to misogyny in an effort to show its incoherence

"You can't kiss your way out of racism"

Needless to say, people aren't all that impressed

It has also been pointed out that being racist and being sexually attracted to a black person– or indeed kissing them as part of your job – aren’t mutually exclusive. Slave owners in America often raped black women. They were still racist.