Twitter Meme Turns ‘Green Book’ Into Well-Meaning But Racist White Person
Ross A. Lincoln
A lot of people were not happy that “Green Book” ended up the surprise Best Picture winner at the 2019 Oscars, and expressed themselves through a meme that imagined the film as a casual racist who doesn’t realize he’s racist.Within moments of the win, “BlacKkKlansman” director Spike Lee tried to leave the Dolby theater in protest, (he later criticized the decision in a post-show interview), while Los Angeles Times film critic Justin Chang declared it to be “the worst best picture winner since ‘Crash.'” The Twitter meme had some users comparing “Green Book” to racist white people who think they’re open-minded and well-meaning.It started with NBC reporter Alex Seitz-Wald, who joked that “Some of Green Book’s best friends are black movies.”Also Read: Spike Lee Gets 'Driving Miss Daisy' Deja Vu From 'Green Book' Win: 'Ref Made a Bad Call'“Green Book says there are good people on both sides,” one user said.“Green Book is concerned about White Working Class Voters,” said another.“Green Book doesn’t see color. ‘Just call me book,'” joked another.And yep, there were plenty of jokes referencing Jordan Peel’s acclaimed horror-satire “Get Out.”Also Read: Top Critics Vent as 'Green Book' Tops Oscars; LA Times Critic Calls It Worst Best Picture Winner Since 'Crash'Long before its Oscars win, “Green Book” experienced a significant backlash. Some slammed it for making a white man the main character of a story drawn from black history. The family of Dr. Don Shirley, played in the film by Mahershala Ali in an Oscar-winning performance, called it a “symphony of lies.” And the filmmakers were criticized for not consulting Shirley’s family — though they insist they were following instructions from Shirley himself, who died in 2013.Fans of the film found it to be an inspiring story of overcoming bigotry and stereotypes, and applauded the interaction between the leads.See more of what viewers had to say on Twitter below:Green Book says there are good people on both sides.— Melinna B (@MelinnaTeatrina) February 25, 2019Green Book is going to stop trying to help if people keep being so unappreciative.— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) February 25, 2019Green Book is concerned about White Working Class Voters.— ????Man On Fire???? (@Unseen17) February 25, 2019Green Book pulled itself up by its bootstraps and put in the work. Nobody ever gave Green Book anything.— Tom and Gerrymandered (@tghoneycutt) February 25, 2019Green Book doesn’t see color. “Just call me book.”— Dee2???????????????? (@deedeeflagg) February 25, 2019Green Book just pinned a really powerful Martin Luther King quote on Pinterest.— Cynthia McCabe (@crkmccabe) February 25, 2019Green Book wants folks to know that all movies matter.— JayDee_JD (@JayDee_JayDee2) February 25, 2019Green Book just felt economically disenfranchised.— Courtenay Hameister (@Wisenheimer) February 25, 2019Green Book Yoga pic.twitter.com/4okZaARK2d— Anna M (@AnnaM11978685) February 25, 2019And here are some of those “Get Out’ jokes:Green Book would have voted for Obama for a third term if it could. pic.twitter.com/THSxLme1MX— Ryan Sons (@RyanSons) February 25, 2019pic.twitter.com/YkaMDNmztL— VFX Soldier (@VFXSoldier) February 25, 2019Green Book would have voted for Obama a third time— Statistically Underperforming Instagram Child (@cliftonsutters) February 25, 2019Green Book thinks we live in a post racial society ????— Lil Extro Vert ????????????????? (@CandaceA) February 25, 2019Damn Savage Since we here tho Green Book voted for Obama… twice— leroyP33 (@leroyp33) February 25, 2019Read original story Twitter Meme Turns ‘Green Book’ Into Well-Meaning But Racist White Person At TheWrap
A lot of people were not happy that “Green Book” ended up the surprise Best Picture winner at the 2019 Oscars, and expressed themselves through a meme that imagined the film as a casual racist who doesn’t realize he’s racist.
Within moments of the win, “BlacKkKlansman” director Spike Lee tried to leave the Dolby theater in protest, (he later criticized the decision in a post-show interview), while Los Angeles Times film critic Justin Chang declared it to be “the worst best picture winner since ‘Crash.'” The Twitter meme had some users comparing “Green Book” to racist white people who think they’re open-minded and well-meaning.
It started with NBC reporter Alex Seitz-Wald, who joked that “Some of Green Book’s best friends are black movies.”
Long before its Oscars win, “Green Book” experienced a significant backlash. Some slammed it for making a white man the main character of a story drawn from black history. The family of Dr. Don Shirley, played in the film by Mahershala Ali in an Oscar-winning performance, called it a “symphony of lies.” And the filmmakers were criticized for not consulting Shirley’s family — though they insist they were following instructions from Shirley himself, who died in 2013.
Fans of the film found it to be an inspiring story of overcoming bigotry and stereotypes, and applauded the interaction between the leads.
See more of what viewers had to say on Twitter below:
Green Book says there are good people on both sides.
