Dear Actors and Actresses Looking to Boycott Georgia,
I actually learned this from a friend’s Facebook post. I will get right to the point.
I agree 100% with you all in wanting to take a stand over what happened with Stacey Abrams. It is absolutely amazing, not to mention comforting, that in this time in our country’s history, there is a group of people who are willing to stand up for injustices, especially when many feel and believe your celebrity “status” means that you would not or even should not do so. I will be honest to say that whenever these injustices happen, especially to people of color, and I immediately hear you all speak up against them, it is incredibly encouraging. Thank you so much.
However, I respectfully ask that you reconsider boycotting Georgia over this.
Again, it is NOT because I (along with many others) do not agree with you taking a stand or are okay with what happened. We are NOT. At all. And we appreciate you being there for them.
I just feel as though this will hurt more of the people this is meant to help, if that makes sense. Let me explain.
For starters, you all leaving won’t make a difference to Conservatives. That’s precisely what they want. They’ve “won” if you end up doing that. All this cheating by way of voter suppression took place and you showing up by speaking out is actually affecting their plans. They want people who would speak up against this to just go away. So you’re actually doing them a favor by boycotting.
Second, remember back when several celebrities hinted at “leaving the country” if Donald Trump became president? Of course, Conservatives were not exactly broken up over that. Many are today, two years later, still wondering why some of you haven’t left yet. Of course, those of us reasonable people understand that picking up and leaving the country isn’t feasible for many and most of us would never actually hold you to doing so, but they are still asking.
I mentioned above that one of my Facebook friends, Sara Mornell, was the one whom I actually learned this from. This is a portion of a post she left about an hour prior to me writing this:
“…This is not the way to help the thousands of people who make a living here. This is not the way to fight the crooks who stole the election from her. I relocated to Atl after living in LA for 22 years. I bring my vote here. I came here to support & train the working class actor because they can actually WORK HERE. The middle class actor cannot survive in LA. To all my Industry people who are reading this – get involved and FIGHT this…@staceyabrams has asked that we stay here…”
I saw a post from Sara yesterday as well, and I will admit that I honestly may not have considered this had I not seen her posts. Often we get excited upon seeing or hearing the word “BOYCOTT” in reference to an injustice of some kind, but as she broke it down, I can really see where she is coming from and hope you can, too.
I sincerely hope this does not come across and anything other than the utmost of respect and support for the fact that you want to stand up against injustices. I can’t even describe in words what it meant for me to see that one video of Oprah knocking on someone’s door in Georgia in favor of Stacey Abrams. Wow.
On top of that, Connie Britton and Alyssa Milano (two of my favorite actresses), are always speaking up against injustices like these, and have spoken in favor of Abrams as well. It is incredible to know that two women I admire so much are truly on the right side of history as far this is concerned. Little else makes me feel more confident that the right people are on our side than to see that. So from the bottom of my heart, I truly thank you.
But please consider all those who have your back and support you. Those are actually the ones who will be hurt by this more than anyone else. To many of them (as I do not live in Georgia, but do understand what this means), this may appear as you “leaving” them or running away rather than helping by remaining in Georgia and standing tall against this nonsense. Conservatives want you to run away. Think about all those who have told you to “shut up about politics” just because you’ve spoken up against Trump, his administration and those who support him. They would love nothing more than for you to disappear, and mainly because you are NOT on their side.
And I don’t know…maybe this struck me as well because I am an aspiring professional screenwriter now living in Texas. Now that I am retired from the military after 21 years of service, I am working toward an opportunity to write professionally and perhaps that’s why I am so encouraged to see and hear those in the entertainment industry so willing to be involved in standing up to fight against injustices. Like many aspiring professional writers, I’m not in the position to just pack up, leave, and move to Los Angeles. So to see that Georgia was growing was encouraging to me also.
But please understand and let me remind you that we are the majority. I simply refuse to believe otherwise. The worst thing you can do to Conservatives is to REMAIN THERE. Let them know that you WILL NOT go anywhere. I’ve already seen many who have stated that they could not care less that you leave. So again…it’s not hurting them. And they are the ones this is meant to affect the most, right?
Even Stacey Abrams has asked for you to remain here, as is evident in the following tweet:
“I appreciate the calls to action, but I ask all of our entertainment industry friends to support #FairFightGA — but please do not #boycottgeorgia. The hard-working Georgians who serve on crews & make a living here are not to blame. I promise: We will fight — and we will win.”
PLEASE understand that most of us love and support you all. We appreciate you from the bottom of our hearts to want to stand up for what’s right. THANK YOU.
But please…don’t boycott Georgia.
To reiterate Ms. Abrams, those who work there are not to blame. The GOP and those who support them are.
This would be like me setting a fire to a building to hurt people I don’t like, even though more people I do care about would be in the building also as I do so.
Please reconsider.
Remember that they know the power many of you hold. If little nobody me knocked on doors, no one would care. But if you think they didn’t notice Oprah doing so…
…this is why they would be okay with you leaving. They don’t want the “Oprahs” of the world knocking on doors. They know that’s when CHANGE happens.
Which is what they do NOT want.
The best way to let them know that you mean business is to STAY.
Please.
Thanks for reading.
Robert People
People's Court 