Should John Boyega Be Raising Your Kids?

In August of 2017, actor John Boyega was seen dancing with a lady at Notting Hill Carnival - a family friendly event. Feminists, sorry, European feminists objected to the type of dancing, citing that Boyega's status as a Star Wars actor, was too much of an impressionable force, on influencing kids and that this type of behaviour was demeaning to women. But within this complaint, I saw a greater multitude of problematic issues, in regards to art, freedoms, representations, ignorance and reality versus fiction.

THE FIRST ISSUE
YOU DO NOT REPRESENT THE WORLD

Firstly, in direct response to the complaints, the dancing that John and the willing lady participated in, were and are absolutely typical of not just Notting Hill Carnival, but Caribbean carnivals around the entire world. So the so-called demeaning behaviour, is really about the ignorance outsiders bring, about the normative practices surrounding cultures that are not theirs. This is what happens when a society thinks that its own cultural history, is the only history worth studying, but then seeks to police the movements of others, blindly stumbling into criticising traditions that the people actually hold as dear. My solution for future attempts at being an online heroine, is to either do some research first or simply shut the hell up. And as to Boyega's influence on kids due his involvement in the Star Wars franchise; a) What the hell are parents for, but to be the gatekeepers and educators to their children, and b) Where are your criticisms of all other actors in the entire world that do and have done what might be considered outlandish or crazy, including the circumstances surrounding Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher's - no judgement here,  But then I'm not picking and choosing who to judge. Hypocritical thinking and selective memory will see your arguments undone every time.

It´s not funny. Can you imagine strong females like Padme, Leia or Rey in a similar situation? I can´t. □ @Disney @starwars pic.twitter.com/mkXDlLT84M

— Baymax (@BaymaxSix) August 30, 2017

THE SECOND ISSUE
SPLITTING ART FORM FROM REALITY

Secondly, John Boyega and all actors, whether male or female are real people. If they are subject to having to behave in a certain way because of the roles they play, then it would be advisable that the only roles they play, are roles that are close to themselves - which of course is ludicrous. But before we even get into the real life behaviour of any actor, what about the issue of playing different roles that are diametrically in contrast? For example, if in one film an actor plays a holy person and then in another film, the same actor plays a serial killer-rapist. How do you determine how an actor should then 'act' in their personal life? ​

WHAT THE DEFENDED WOMEN HAD TO SAY

I'll just leave this here for you... pic.twitter.com/p3Cr23zeSK

— Sarah (@Sarah_Mae_K) August 30, 2017

Well this is the Caribbean culture and it's a dance at a Caribbean Carnival. He's not disrespecting her. Research before you post.

— Kayla T. S-T (@Kayla_Sasweets) September 1, 2017

If you don't understand our culture, try to gain understanding instead of judging & getting out of your lane. Nothing demeaning about wining

— Jessica Dismont (@JessDismont) September 1, 2017

For the 99 and the 2000 pic.twitter.com/30VN8q63LD

— Patrick Lewis (@PatrickLewis_) September 2, 2017