Failed Mayor of London candidate Laurence Fox hit out at TV show Anne Boleyn last night, declaring ‘the diversity agenda is racism’.
The Channel 5 drama, which cast black actress Jodie Turner-Smith in the title role, has been widely lauded for having a multi-racial cast, with Turner-Smith saying it adds to the appeal.
“If you stay away from period dramas because they feel kind of stuffy, then this is the historical drama for you,” she said.
“[As an actor], when you take on a role you bring the wealth of your experience, your individuality and you really infuse something different, and I think that’s really what gave us the best opportunity to tell a different story.
“There is something spiritually that feels more approachable for people and that is going to be more broadly appealing to a contemporary audience.”
Straight White female
But Fox was not happy with the move, tweeting: “‘Anne Boleyn was a straight white female.
“Stick that in your diversity pipe. The Diversity agenda is racism. Pure and simple.”
Anne Boleyn was a straight white female.
— Laurence Fox ✌???✌? (@LozzaFox) June 1, 2021
Stick that in your diversity pipe.
The Diversity agenda is racism. Pure and simple.
He then tweeted: “For the record, I think any actor of any sexual orientation, skin colour or body difference can play any character. Hence why it’s called “acting” But it has to be consistent, otherwise it’s just discrimination.”
AFor the record, I think any actor of any sexual orientation, skin colour or body difference can play any character. Hence why it’s called “acting”
— Laurence Fox ✌???✌? (@LozzaFox) June 2, 2021
But it has to be consistent, otherwise it’s just discrimination.
“Only trans actors can play trans characters. Only gay actors should play gay characters. Actors apologising for playing limb different characters. (Anne Boleyn had 6 fingers on her right hand) But black actors can play white limb different characters.”
Only trans actors can play trans characters.
— Laurence Fox ✌???✌? (@LozzaFox) June 2, 2021
Only gay actors should play gay characters.
Actors apologising for playing limb different characters. (Anne Boleyn had 6 fingers on her right hand)
But black actors can play white limb different characters. ??♂️
Reactions
Reaction to his comments has been fun to watch.
Here's what people had to say:
1.
I seem to remember @LozzaFox complaining bitterly when the police came to his door - just imagine the reaction if he was stopped and searched with no reasonable cause?
— Garry Seabeaver (@DIPAmonster) June 2, 2021
2.
Stop and search every posh suit on a regular basis. Stop the drugs trade.
— Simon's two wheels (@Simonstwowheel1) June 2, 2021
3.
Odd, when YOU where being stopped during LD that was an afront to your civil liberties.
— Steven Baker (@notacunningplan) June 2, 2021
So,
1) what age do they have no rights?
2) what stop at youths, why not everyone ?
3) how many police will you be employing to do this , and how will you pay for them ?
4.
Quick question... So everyone that looks under the age of 25? I can't think of how else you could determine who is a "youth". Using 2019 London figures, thats around 2 million people.
— Living Dead Girl (@LDGlive) June 2, 2021
How do you plan for the police to regularly stop and search 2 million people?