Internet, please stop chasing away the good people. Daisy Ridley -- aka Rey from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and "Episode VIII," coming out next year -- is definitely one of the good ones, using her social media to promote kindness and positive self-esteem. Or, that's what she used to do. Her Instagram is currently disabled/deleted, and she also deleted a recent Facebook post on gun violence.
Social media is a minefield, and for every one opinion a well-known person shares, thousands are returned to them. It takes thick skin, patience, and maybe some blocking or ignoring of comments to get through it all.
In this case, Daisy appears to have been hit with backlash after she wrote about her recent experience at the Teen Choice Awards, when young relatives of shooting victims shared stories from the stage.
Here's what she wrote:
"Thinking about how lucky I am like......... Serious bit: as I sat in the audience yesterday tears were streaming down my face at the tribute to those that have been lost to gun violence. I didn't get a great picture of the incredible group that came on stage but they were so brave. It was a true moment of togetherness. We must #stoptheviolence"
That was met with some agreement and encouragement, but also criticism. The Nerdy Bird collected some of the replies to her deleted Facebook post:
• "Please do not start with any liberal statements or movements. We are all against violence. People kill people guns don't. Don't ruin Star Wars for any of us."
• "Sorry, didn't I see you using a blaster in Star Wars Episode VII? Get outta here, you're no better than Matt Damon. I might have to unfollow your page."
• "Says the woman who kills people with guns in movies. Such hypocrisy in Hollywood. Just shut up, Ridley and make another Star Wars movie."
• "We all love you so much, however please stay out of politics. Hollywood needs less political stand points and more humanity for the environment. Please, be the neutral voice and a good role model and just stay clear of all the drama. Trust me the violence over here is being fueled by politicians with their own agenda on both sides. There are two sides to every story and a head in every pocket. We are forgetting the true problems of the world right now."
• "Daisy, I love everything you do and your voice for a lot of things, but violence inflicted with guns is probably not the best topic to bring to your fan base. Stopping the violence is a wonderful sentiment, but the only way to ensure that happens is through education and mental health treatment improvements. Evil will always find a way to re-surface. How we deal with the evil person is the real issue we all face."
Daisy, a human being out Earth with Internet access, has exactly as much right as anyone to be a non-neutral voice on any topic she wants. It's her voice. Her page. However, that goes both ways, and it means her critics have exactly as much right to respond. Apparently this was just one too many headaches to deal with -- no good intention goes unpunished sort of thing -- so she deleted that particular Facebook post and closed her Instagram account entirely.
She did briefly reactivate her account to offer some hope for a future return, and a Daisy Ridley Fan Club account said her Insta is being "edited" after an August 1 "incident." Here's what Daisy wrote in her brief return:
"Hey y'all!! Just wanted to explain the hiatus... I just want to be on my phone less! Trying to be more present and all that and got a busy few months ahead so wanted less distractions... It's all good :) I always appreciate the support and love and Instagram community! X"
So maybe she'll be back. Some fans have hit up her "Star Wars" buddy John Boyega to ask Daisy to come back to Instagram, and he politely declined. To one fan, he wrote, "she's doing what's best for her. I won't be advising my friend to come back. Sorry." To another, he wrote, "can't do that. She makes her own decisions and as a friend I support her right to do so."
He's a good friend. No one owes us Instagram posts, so if she decides to stay away -- to be off her phone less, or just to breathe away from scrutiny, or stop herself from being baited into personal debates on social media -- that's up to her.
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