The Dark Side Of Fandom: Leslie Jones Incident Exposes A Deeper Issue

While some might argue that the internet is a wealth of information, on Monday night the internet showed that it was a pool of hate.

Leslie Jones, one of the stars of Ghostbusters, was the target of internet bullies who channeled their hatred for the rebooted film into a mountain of racist rants meant to tear her down.

Here is one. (Disclaimer – these tweets are pretty horrible, so read at your own risk)

I just don't understand pic.twitter.com/N9xWoXPttu

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 18, 2016

and another –

Exposing pic.twitter.com/jfSbGj3yCP

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 18, 2016

Here’s one more example –

Exposing pic.twitter.com/jfSbGj3yCP

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 18, 2016

and one more –

So sad pic.twitter.com/WQn097m9hn

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 18, 2016

pic.twitter.com/XbyaGCHN77

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 18, 2016

Now most assume that this type of vile behavior has been directed just at Leslie, but Ghostbuster director Paul Feig has dealt with this behavior as well.

.@paulfeig @Lesdoggg 2 b fair, it's yr fault too for writing such a shitty film that it exposed actors to ridicule:https://t.co/t33Ij1ROOO

— Taylor Owens (@anukasan1977) July 19, 2016

It’s one thing to critique a film, and it’s another to make this personal. It seems that the internet tough guys think that it’s their right to attack anyone associated with this film on a hurtful personal level. Some might argue that this is simply the drawbacks of being a celebrity but just because someone makes a movie that shouldn’t allow a person to be treated as less than a human being. Where do we draw the line? How do we draw the line? Is this the dark side of fandom that will never go away?

What are your thoughts? Do you think that these are just overzealous or a few bad fans that make the rest look bad? Let us know!