Hollywood, Hamas, and the double standards of free speech
The Left’s Hypocrisy on Free Speech Revealed in the Wake of Hamas Attacks
The terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, brought to light the hypocrisy of the Left when it comes to free speech. While progressives remained silent as the Biden administration collaborated with social media giants to censor Americans, they suddenly cried foul when Hamas apologists faced consequences for their actions.
The entertainment industry, particularly Hollywood, has been even more hypocritical in its stance on free speech, regardless of the Hamas atrocities. Despite championing free speech during the Bush years, the industry fell silent when conservative stars were repeatedly punished for expressing their views. Authors and comedians faced scrutiny for sharing “problematic” jokes, and sensitivity readers targeted beloved authors.
However, two actresses found themselves “canceled” for supporting the Palestinian cause, albeit in extreme ways. The question arises: should stars be able to share abhorrent views without facing any consequences?
Melissa Barrera, a rising star known for her role in “Scream,” lost a role in the next film of the horror franchise after she publicly shared pro-Palestinian views. Her comments went beyond calling for a ceasefire or expressing empathy; she suggested that pro-Israeli forces distort the Holocaust and claimed that the media is controlled by Jews. Spyglass Media Group, the studio behind the “Scream” franchise, decided to cut ties with her.
Oscar winner Susan Sarandon also faced consequences for her anti-Semitic remarks. Her agent severed ties with her after she crudely compared the anti-Semitism following the October 7 attacks to the struggles of Palestinians in America.
Both actresses have shown little remorse for their comments. Barrera continues to stand by her views, while Sarandon’s social media accounts are filled with pro-Palestinian propaganda.
It is worth noting that other stars have shared aggressively pro-Palestinian, anti-Israeli views without facing significant consequences. John Cusack, for example, promotes these views on his platform but no longer works as regularly as before.
While some stars rallied for an Israeli/Hamas ceasefire, little attention was given to the October 7 atrocities or the hostages still held by Hamas.
Some media outlets have suggested that the cancellations of Barrera and Sarandon mark the beginning of a new Hollywood blacklist. However, it is important to remember that other stars have faced severe consequences for far less. Roseanne Barr lost her sitcom and Hollywood career for a racially charged tweet, and Gina Carano lost her Disney+ showcase for comparing American conservatives to Jews in 1930s Germany.
Hollywood’s stance on free speech lacks logic and moral clarity. The industry should either stand for absolute free speech or judge stars who make egregious statements in a consistent and reasonable manner.
Furthermore, the current controversy surrounding the Israel/Hamas war may lead to Jewish actors and those who support the Jewish people being hesitant to work with individuals like Barrera or Cusack, who deny the reality of the attacks.
In conclusion, Hollywood’s approach to free speech is inconsistent and emotionally driven. It is time for the industry to pick a lane and either fully support free speech or hold stars accountable for their actions.
WATCH: “The Divided States Of Biden with Ben Shapiro” on DailyWire+
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic, and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at @HollywoodInToto.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
What message does the Left’s hypocrisy on free speech send about the acceptability of hate speech and support for terrorism?
Ti-Israeli, or controversial views without facing such severe consequences. For example, actress Gal Gadot, known for her role as Wonder Woman, faced backlash for her public support of the Israeli Defense Forces during the 2021 conflict with Hamas. However, she was not ”canceled” or dropped from any projects.
This discrepancy raises important questions about the entertainment industry’s priorities and moral compass. Why is it acceptable for stars to express controversial views as long as they align with the prevailing ideology? Is free speech truly valued when only certain viewpoints are allowed to be expressed?
The Left’s hypocrisy on free speech extends beyond Hollywood. In the wake of the Hamas attacks, several prominent left-wing politicians and activists defended individuals who made anti-Semitic remarks or expressed support for Hamas. They argued that these individuals were merely exercising their right to free speech and should not face consequences for their words.
This double standard is deeply concerning. It sends a dangerous message that certain forms of hate speech or support for terrorism are acceptable as long as they are couched in the language of social justice or anti-imperialism. It also undermines the credibility of the Left’s claims to champion free speech and tolerance.
If the Left truly values free speech, it should apply that value consistently, regardless of the political ideology involved. It should condemn and hold accountable individuals who engage in hate speech or support terrorism, regardless of whether they align with the Left’s preferred causes.
Furthermore, the collaboration between the Biden administration and social media giants to censor Americans is deeply problematic and raises serious concerns about the erosion of free speech rights. Progressives should be leading the charge against such censorship, rather than remaining silent or even supportive.
The hypocrisy of the Left on free speech in the wake of the Hamas attacks is a stark reminder that principles must be consistently applied, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient. A true commitment to free speech means defending the rights of all individuals to express their views, while also holding them accountable for the consequences of those views.
In conclusion, the terrorist attacks by Hamas have revealed the hypocrisy of the Left when it comes to free speech. The entertainment industry and left-wing activists have shown a selective approach to defending free speech, supporting those who align with their ideology while condemning others. This double standard undermines the credibility of the Left’s claims to champion free speech and tolerance. If the Left truly values free speech, it should apply that value consistently, condemn hate speech and support for terrorism regardless of ideology, and stand against government-sanctioned censorship.
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