Despite the negativity to come from it, Obi-Wan Kenobi star Moses Ingram is responding to the racist backlash with a brighter outlook than some may expect. Ingram stars in the new Star Wars series as Reva Sevander, also known as the Third Sister, a member of the Galactic Empire's Inquisitors who is ruthlessly hunting down the titular Jedi, much to the chagrin of the Grand Inquisitor. Obi-Wan Kenobi chronicles Kenobi having to go on the run from the Inquisitors while saving a young Leia Organa from being kidnapped by Reva in a ploy to draw him out.
Ingram is one of many Star Wars newcomers in Obi-Wan Kenobi alongside Rupert Friend as the Grand Inquisitor, Sung Kang as the Fifth Brother, Benny Safdie, Vivien Lyra Blair as Leia, Flea, Kumail Nanjiani and Indira Varma. The series also features the franchise returns of Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, Joel Edgerton as Uncle Owen Lars, Bonnie Piesse as Beru Whitesun Lars, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa. Obi-Wan Kenobi is starting off with largely positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, though a certain subset of the Star Wars fandom are making themselves known in the worst of ways.
On the heels of toxic fans coming out against the actress, Obi-Wan Kenobi star Moses Ingram took to her Instagram story (via Sleemo) to respond to racist backlash against the Reva performer. Ingram addressed disappointment in the racist comments and acknowledged "there's nothing anybody can do to stop this hate," but is choosing to look at the brighter words being sent her way by fans over the negative. See what Ingram said below:
“Long story short, there are hundreds of those. Hundreds. And I also see those of you out there who put on a cape for me and that really does mean the world to me because, you know, there’s nothing anybody can do about this. There’s nothing anybody can do to stop this hate. And so I question my purposes even being here in front of you saying that this is happening. I don’t really know. I don’t really know. But I think the thing that bothers me is that like, sort of this feeling that I’ve had inside of myself. This feeling that no one has told me, but like I just got to shut up and take it. I just got to bury it. And I’m not built like that. So I really just wanted to come on, I think, and say thank you to the people who show up for me in the comments and the places I’m not going to put myself. And to the rest of y’all, y’all weird.”
Ingram isn't the only franchise star to find themselves the subject of racist backlash from toxic Star Wars fans as both John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran infamously were targeted for racist comments during the sequel trilogy era. The official Star Wars social media recently came in defense of Tran when an image from the recent Celebration Event of she and Billie Lourd was again targeted by toxic fans, hitting back with "L + ratio." Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedyhas spoken in defense of Boyega's criticisms against racist backlash and has since had conversations with the star in the hopes of repairing their relationship for potential future projects.
The official Star Wars Twitter has also spoken up in defense of Obi-Wan Kenobi's Reva actress against racist backlash, stating they resist any efforts made to make her feel unwelcome and urging those to not be racist when there are over 20 million sentient species in the franchise. Ingram's response to the racist backlash is both understandable and commendable, choosing to speak out against the "weird" commenters and primarily focus on the praise being sent her way. Those who have enjoyed Reva's introduction can look forward to her return with Obi-Wan Kenobi airing new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+.
Source: Moses Ingram/Instagram (via Sleemo/Twitter)