Jane Fonda dresses as Black Panther Party member to speak on white privilege, fans thank her for standing up
Actress Jane Fonda is known for not holding back on her strong opinions and views, something that has landed her in trouble and controversies quite often. In the wave of the George Floyd protests taking over the United States at the moment, Fonda appeared on CNN, dressed like a Black Panther Party member, with a beret, and said that "white people needed to understand the reality that black people live in" and that there was an urgent need for policy change. While many on social media lauded her for taking a stand, others slammed the channel for not calling a black person to speak. There were several divided opinions on Fonda's speech itself.
Many on social media praised Fonda for speaking out and said she was a "whole new mood". Many said she has always been fighting for the right causes. "Jane Fonda has been protesting and making a difference long before Don Lemon was a twinkle in his Daddy's eye. She has been getting arrested for protesting right up through present day. Don Lemon needs to start listening to her. Why ain't he out there?" a fan wrote, referring to the journalist Don Lemon who had lashed out at celebrities for "sitting in their mansions" and not taking a stand. The journalist was ripped apart by many on Twitter for 'rudely' interrupting Fonda. There were many tweets slamming him for doing so. "@donlemon why would you cut off Jane Fonda? Hypocritically you just had an interview with 'breaking news' and you told them to stop so you could finish. Breaking news will happen for days anyway," another wrote.
"Jane Fonda coming out in the all black on with the beret like her stepdad was a Black Panther. You go girl! I appreciate your help to the cause for decades. Keep up the good work!" Another fan wrote. "Just heard Jane Fonda on CNN say the election of Trump and the administration that surrounds him ripped the bandaid off Racism in this country. She was more eloquent than that but it was so well put. It has exposed what has been simmering below the surface. ugly. Raw. Inhumane," tweeted a user. "Jane Fonda has been protesting and getting arrested over 5 times at the end of last year over climate change... she’s been protesting since Vietnam... I stan."
"Jane Fonda publicly admitting that 'white privilege' exists on CNN is a classic example of 'say the truth and shame the devil'. Sis came prepared in black," another wrote. Some thanked her for acknowledging her 'white privilege' and educating herself. "Thank you Jane Fonda for standing up for truth. Thank you for educating yourself on racism and for getting Yo know Black people and raising your voice; Thank you for acknowledging your White privilege," a user wrote. Others slammed her mercilessly and said that they didn't really care about what she had to say and even called her a 'pandering clown'. "I don't really need Jane Fonda explaining this to me," a user wrote.
Last week, the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer sent shockwaves through the country, and since then, there have been widespread protests about the prevailing systemic racism.