Netflix just released the first teaser for one of their new shows, "dear white people," and, obviously, some white people aren't very happy about it. The show was originally a full-length film that was released in 2014. The film follows Samantha White, a bi-racial woman with a radio show called "Dear White People." The movie made $4.6 million at the box office, and currently has a 91% approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, the original plot is back as a show with a brand new cast.
Trailer release and #BoycottNetflix
Currently, the trailer has 214,057 views, 2,559 likes, and 47,951 dislikes on YouTube.
Moments after the trailer was released, angry viewers took to Twitter and started using #BoycottNetflix to vent their frustrations about the show. Many viewers accused the show of anti-white racism and questioned what would happen if a show like this was created about other races. Multiple trolls also used the hashtag to spew racist remarks about blacks and praise Donald Trump.
Promote racism and white genocide & you get dropped. #dearwhitepeople #nonetflix #boycottNetflix #alllivesmatter pic.twitter.com/If8jFaTTVL
— Krys 🇺🇸 (@ktrav123) February 9, 2017
Imagine a tv show called #DearBlackPeople with white people complaining about black crime statistics#BoycottNetflix#dearwhitepeople pic.twitter.com/cfap6EAzc0
— 21st Century Revolt (@21stCenRevolt) February 8, 2017
Later on, fans of the original film began responding to people outraged by the new trailer.
DEAR WHITE PEOPLE trying to #BoycottNetflix
— Twin Peaks☕Survivors (@TPSurvivors) February 8, 2017
your white fragility is showing pic.twitter.com/vFU9dTF5Z0
Are white people really trying to #BoycottNetflix cause Dear White People is coming lol pic.twitter.com/Atm0VwouJc
— DCHomos (@DCHomos) February 9, 2017
I would take #BoycottNetflix seriously but if #Deplorables cancelled they would lose their main baby sitter... so no. You won't cancel
— J.K.Callaway (@realJKCallaway) February 8, 2017
Tessa Thompson pokes fun
After the trailer released, Tessa Thompson, the actress from the original cast, decided to make some jokes on Twitter.
❄️ But what are you gonna do when @Stranger_Things season two comes out tho ....? ❄️
— Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x) February 9, 2017
She also clowned some racist haters, and took the time to express excitement for the new show.
u are about to respond to a problematic tweet & then check the persons profile and...nvm. Don't have enough word allowance to deal with you pic.twitter.com/mud22r0rNB
— Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x) February 8, 2017
The main star responds
Logan Browning, the new leading lady, decided to respond to the controversy head-on.
Dear White People, a lot of the press who've watched the show & enjoyed it so far, are white.
— Logan Browning (@LoganLaurice) February 8, 2017
The show is not anti-any race.
See you 4/28!
Logan is reprising the role of Samantha White. Currently, it is unknown whether or not any of the original cast will be involved in the project. Justin Simien, the original creator of the film, appears to have some involvement in the new show, and has also responded to the backlash on Twitter from his own account.
Show cancellation?
Netflix has yet to officially respond to the controversy surrounding the new show and its trailer. It is currently unknown how many subscriptions were actually lost as a result of the show. The show will be released on April 28, 2017 exclusively on Netflix.
