BD Wong is facing backlash after making a racist joke on his Threads account.
The Jurassic World actor has issued multiple apologies for the comment, which was directed at social media influencer Mike Holston, who regularly films content featuring exotic animals like crocodiles, snakes, and lizards, and has over 16 million followers on Instagram.
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Mike had posted a video of himself holding an unidentified animal with the caption, “Name this animal… wrong answers only.”
In a now-deleted reply, BD wrote, “It appears to be a Black man.”
Many users called out the actor for playing into a dehumanizing comparison rooted in racism.
“Y’all I made a very bad joke. As most people in hot water do, I deleted it for Damage Control but it’s out there & continues to hurt & disappoint & I’m really sorry about the hurt part,” the Law & Order actor wrote in his first Threads apology. “Super dumb, but I tried to follow the ‘Wrong Answers Only’ prompt w/the wrongest answer. This succeeded only in that it was Super Wrong. I know nobody gets a free pass. I’m sorry if this #wtfbd moment tarnished any respect you may’ve had for me. & thanks if you advocate for an internet that’s safe for everybody.”
He later shared a second statement, saying he wanted to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation: “I want to elaborate re a racist comment I posted, to clarify that I recognize & accept the responsibility for how terrible it is. It’s also wrong to try to ‘explain’ anything, & I think that causes a further breaking down in folks’ trust.”
“Let me please spend the energy on how wrong I know it is to exploit a despicable, racist trope in the supposed spirit of humor; I do know better, but again no excuses. Very sorry for the hurt I’ve caused & for taking lightly something so deeply injurious.”
As of now, Mike hasn’t publicly responded to BD’s comments.
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