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
Me to Michelle Rodriguez after reading her defense of Liam Neeson: https://t.co/00GdODutTE— Saeed Jones (@Saeed Jones) 1549553061
Others are applying the basis of her argument to misogyny in an effort to show its incoherence
@theferocity “[Misogynists] don’t make out with the [gender] that they hate, especially in the way he does with his… https://t.co/jAbqzXGCO1— Scott Bixby (@Scott Bixby) 1549552913
@theferocity oh wait shit they totally do all the time— Scott Bixby (@Scott Bixby) 1549552960
"You can't kiss your way out of racism"
Here’s where Michelle Rodriguez says Liam Neeson isn’t racist because he shoved his tongue down Viola Davis’ throat… https://t.co/CphDdphFlw— The Original Imani Gandy (@The Original Imani Gandy) 1549554855
Needless to say, people aren't all that impressed
we have reached the "you can't possibly be racist if you kiss black people well" part of the Liam Neeson news cycle https://t.co/otAKr1fYfE— Tasneem Nashrulla (@Tasneem Nashrulla) 1549555546
uhhh I saw the opening scene to Widows and while it may not say anything about whether or not neeson is a racist, i… https://t.co/9redml8mwS— Sana Saeed (@Sana Saeed) 1549556297
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.
More: Ocasio-Cortez asks why she should have been 'spirited and warm' during the State of the Union
More: Donald Trump Jr owned himself after sharing a meme of Democrat congresswomen not wearing US flag
