#LoveForLeslieJ Trends On Twitter After "Ghostbusters" Backlash
Social media can be cruel and unrelenting and comedian Leslie Jones has experienced the worst of it. Fresh off the success of the Ghostbusters reboot, the comedian became the subject of racist, sexist and misogynistic attacks on Twitter since the film's release.
On Monday, (July 18) the Saturday Night Live cast member used the social media platform to express her anguish over the litany of verbal attacks she received over the past few days.
Star Wars' John Boyega, late night talk show host James Corden, Margaret Cho, Elizabeth Banks and Jones's idol, Whoopi Goldberg, jumped to the star's defense on and off social media. Paul Feig, director of the Ghostbusters reboot, defended Jones's and expressed admiration for the famed comedian with one simple tweet.
In the aftermath of Feig's encouraging message, the hashtag #LoveForLeslieJ started trending on Twitter, eventually becoming the top trending topic on the social media platform. Many supporters and fans of Jones called on Twitter to take heavy action against the hateful rhetoric that plagues the social media site on a daily base. Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, eventually reached to Jones and requested to speak to her via Direct Message.
Meanwhile, spread #LoveforLeslieJ and see some of the encouraging tweets below.