Rainn Wilson Instagrammed a noose that was hung to a tree in his Black friend’s front yard. The Office star wanted to use his platform to remind people that racism is still alive and well.
“This was hung in a tree in her front yard in suburban Los Angeles, to be found by her seventeen-year-old daughter,” Wilson wrote. “Many folks are in denial about the extent to which racism exists in our country in 2019.”
According to Wilson, after his friend had reported the incident, the police brushed it off by essentially asking, “What’s the big deal?”
“Well, officer, the noose is the symbol of lynching which was used to hang thousands of African Americans, especially by the Klan,” the actor continued. “It is as strong a symbol of racial hatred, violence and oppression as a Swastika.”
The post amassed over 215,000 likes in just one day.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByS-e4ShlOe/
Wilson then went on to highlight other mistreatments his friend has faced and how racism and discrimination are still prominent aspects of American society.
“Jamey (the friend) told me today that last year, while playing golf, he was looking for his ball in the brush and a white guy who wanted to play through called out ‘Hey, you can hurry up, we don’t have you picking cotton anymore!’” Wilson recalled.
The post has received praise from many people, including actress Taraji P. Henson, who thanked Wilson for the post. “God bless your pure heart,” the actress replied. Singer Jordin Sparks also commented on the photo by writing, “Oh my gosh. This is horrible.”
READ MORE:
- Detained Black man asks police officer for name, officer responds ‘F*ck you is my name’
- Woman hangs mannequin and Confederate flag in yard, calls them Halloween decor
- Racist Airbnb host refers to Black guests as ‘monkeys’ in viral video
- Video shows Black hotel employee denying service to woman who called him the N-word
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H/T HuffPost
