Jeff Goldblum, known for his iconic role in the Jurrasic Park franchise, is facing social media backlash over comments he made to a contestant on ‘RuPaul’s drag race.’
Appearing as a guest judge, he asked one contestant Jackie Cox, who is of Iranian ancestry, about Islam’s treatment of women and the LGBTQ+ community.
“I’m here, and I deserve to be in America just as much as anyone else.”
Thank you for your bravery, @JackieCoxNYC – we’re so happy you’re here. ❤️#DragRace pic.twitter.com/aVCFXNKHHx
— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) April 25, 2020
Cox, real name Darius Rose, was dressed in a stars and stripes hijab in keeping with the episode’s patriotic theme, which the drag queen said “represents the importance that visibility for people of religious minorities need to have in this country.”
“You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine” 💙🇺🇸❤️ @RuPaulsDragRace #DragRace
Photo series by @prestonburford
Look by @OestreichTravis pic.twitter.com/8RKVYQcxPp— Jackie Cox (@JackieCoxNYC) April 25, 2020
Goldblum then asked Cox: “Is there something in this religion that is anti-homosexuality and anti-woman? Does that complicate the issue? I’m just raising it and thinking out loud and maybe being stupid.”
The actor’s comments sparked backlash online. The poet Omar Sakr said: “Jeff Goldblum felt the need to say “but isn’t Islam anti-gay and anti-woman” to Jackie because she was wearing a stars-and-stripes hijab, as if America hasn’t been anti-gay and anti-woman from the outset, or killed and displaced millions of Muslims, including women and queers…”
America, and by extension Christianity, is forever allowed to be exemplified by the best of what it represents; Arabs and Muslims are forever and only allowed to be exemplified by the worst. This is not just tiresome, it's also deadly in how it entraps a billion+ in villainy.
— Omar Sakr (@OmarjSakr) April 25, 2020
