Celebrities Outraged Over Viral Video of Kentucky Teens Mocking Native American Veteran
01/20/2019 05:29 pm EST
Chris Evans
If the students from Covington Catholic High enjoy Marvel movies, they would be disappointed by Captain America's response to their stunt. The actor is always outspoken about politics online, and this video really struck a cord with him.
"This is appalling. The ignorance. The gall. The disrespect," he wrote. "It's shameful. And sadly on brand. When something like this isnt even surprising, it's evidence to our place in the cycle of recreating our darker chapters. That Native American man showed incredible strength and dignity."
Alyssa Milano
To Alyssa Milano, there was no denying the correlation between the behavior of the students in that video and their political preferences. She wondered, in her own tweet, how the next generation would look after experiencing the presidency of Donald Trump.
"This is Trump's America," she declared. "And it brought me to tears. What are we teaching our young people? Why is this ok? How is this ok? Please help me understand. Because right now I feel like my heart is living outside of my body."
Meghan McCain
The View co-host Meghan McCain showed that racism and respect are not a partisan issue. The passionate Republican voiced her support for Phillips, and her outrage at the students.
"I am absolutely disgusted by the mass of students disrespectful and vile treatment towards Nathan and Native Americans in general," she wrote. "Bigotry is bigotry, is bigotry, is bigotry. It should ALWAYS be recognized and condemned! Those students could learn a thing about respect from him."
Rosie O'Donnell and Michael Ian Black
Comedian Michael Ian Black posted a photo of one of the Covington Catholic High students beside a historical photo of a white student bullying a black student during the civil rights movement. Rosie O'Donnell retweeted the comparison, writing "horrible smug asswipe."
Zach Braff
Zack Braff tied the video back to another viral video from earlier in the week — the "toxic masculinity" commercial from Gillette.
"How soon can you guys get down there?" he asked the shaving company, adding later: "I want the opposite of whatever these kids want. And it appears they want a wall."
Yvette Nicole Brown
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown was also horrified by the videos, and was quick to shoot down those who defended the students. To her, the racial implications of the situation could not have been clearer.
"I promise today is not the today to propose I cram to understand the 'plight' of entitled racists who disrespect an elder, no matter the racists' age," she warned. "No one says 'but they're just kids' when the kids are melanin-rich. They are thugs. Just thugs. Immediately and always."
Debra Messing
Will and Grace actress Debra Messing was also furious with the students in the video, and not interested in indulging those who forgave them.
"I'd be ashamed and appalled if he was my son," Messing wrote of one picture from the event. When another user posted a defense of the students, Messing took issue.
"No. Wrong. Everyone has NOT acted with racist contempt and degregation [sic] as a teenager," she wrote. "It speaks volumes to your upbringing and community if that is the case."
Don Cheadle
Another on-screen Marvel hero, Don Cheadle, also spent some time going over the footage on Saturday. Cheadle wondered about the systemic forces that might have brought the Covington Catholic High students to that moment, and made particular note of Phillips' service to his country.
"He's a Vietnam vet who understands the results of hate, fear and violence better than most," he wrote. "He was apparently singing a song about cleansing his detractors of enmity and rancor. Hero."
Kathy Griffin
Kathy Griffin also had a clear idea of where the inspiration for the stunt came from, blaming her long-time opponent President Donald Trump.
"MAGA hats. Donald Trump has brought the worst in our country," she wrote.
Patton Oswalt
Finally, comedian Patton Oswalt had a lot to say about the videos in a series of tweets on Saturday. He joked that the student at the front of the crowd would likely become a Supreme Court Justice one day, comparing him to Judge Brett Kavanaugh. He also tagged Covington Catholic High School and its superintendent, Mike Clines.
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