How soon do we forget that light-skinned Black beauty Halle Berry played the role of Storm in the previous installations of the blockbuster X-men movie franchise? So why is there such an uproar about another mixed-race African American female, this time Alexandra Shipp, playing Storm in the upcoming X-Men film?
After news broke Thursday that Disney was acquiring 21st Century Fox, an excited fan tweeted to Shipp, saying:
@AlexShipppp now that Disney bought fox i’m gonna need that Storm and Thor team up now….. How do you feel about that sister?
— Michael Hill (@Michael99mvp1) December 14, 2017
Shipp replied that she would love for that to happen. But thing totally went off the tracks when a disgruntled troll begrudged Shipp for nailing down the role of a lifetime and then typed these words that must have sliced through Shipp’s soul like a sharp blade:
Nope. Disney is re-casting the whole team, boo. Sorry. Dark Phoenix will be your last. We getting a dark skinned non-racially Ambiguous Storm like we deserve. pic.twitter.com/sOFlVhx7ZG
— Sara (@Saaaa_hot) December 14, 2017
Shipp immediately snapped and denounced the darker Black woman as being racist and narrow-minded.
This. Right. Here. Pure hate. Its disgusting. My whole life I’ve had to defend my skin tone, like its controllable, like I’ve ever been treated white. Sorry, your racism doesn’t work on me. I’m a strong black woman & no one will EVER be able to take that from me not even a troll. https://t.co/Nl8HqoiDuf
— Alexandra Shipp (@AlexShipppp) December 14, 2017
I dont dismiss colorism in any way shape or form. But I’m not wearing blackface I AM BLACK. Everyone should be represented, but I’m playing a cartoon, not a historical figure. Period. Thank you for showing up with coherent criticism, i hear your constructive criticism ✌🏾🙏🏾
— Alexandra Shipp (@AlexShipppp) December 14, 2017
Shipp spat fire back at her dark-skinned critics, saying she was not going to turn down roles to make people feel comfortable. It’s her profession, how she makes a living, and at the end of the day she is Black.
Agreed. But why go after an actor? What good does that bring? Wouldn’t talking to one and getting them to see your side without offending them work better? Take it up with someone who can do something! Cuz I’m never turning down a role to make other ppl feel comfortable EVER. https://t.co/U25bUHSpZf
— Alexandra Shipp (@AlexShipppp) December 14, 2017
This is when the heat index rose significantly between Shipp and blacks on both sides of the Black color spectrum. Check out the heated exchange by flipping the page:
