PETALING JAYA, June 9 ― American actor Hartley Sawyer has been fired from popular TV series The Flash after previous racist, misogynist tweets resurfaced, sparking outrage among social media users.

Warner Bros Television and Berlanti Productions producers told news portal Variety that Sawyer will not be returning for the series’ seventh  season.

“We do not tolerate derogatory remarks that target any race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation as they are antithetical to our values and policies ― which strive and evolve to promote a safe, inclusive and productive environment for our workforce,” read the statement.

Sawyer, who played Ralph Dibny joined The Flash in 2017, has been receiving backlash from netizens over his insensitive tweets especially amid the nationwide protest against the systemic racism in response to George Floyd’s death.

The Hollywood Reporter said that although Sawyer’s Twitter account had been deleted, screenshots of his old posts in 2012 and 2014 have been shared by many Twitter users.

 

 

Some of his misogynist tweets include, “If I had a wife, I would beat the hell out of her tonight” while another one was “Enjoyed a secret boob viewing at an audition today”.

His racist tweets on the other hand include, “The only thing stopping me from doing mildly racist tweets is the knowledge that AL Sharpton (American activist) would never stop complaining about me.”

The show’s executive producer, Eric Wallace, who is of African-American descent also said on his Twitter account that Sawyer’s tweets broke his heart and made him mad.

“And his tweets are indicative of the larger problem in our country because presently, our country still accepts and protects the continual harassment of Black and Brown people which is fatal,” said Wallace.

 

Sawyer however apologised for his actions on his Instagram page on May 31 saying that his words were hurtful and unacceptable.

“I am ashamed of myself for being capable of these horrible attempts to get attention at that time.

“These were words I threw out at the time with no thought or recognition of the harm my words could do, and have done today.”

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

My words, irrelevant of being meant with an intent of humor, were hurtful, and unacceptable. I am ashamed I was capable of these really horrible attempts to get attention at that time. I regret them deeply. This was not acceptable behavior. These were words I threw out at the time with no thought or recognition of the harm my words could do, and now have done today. I am incredibly sorry, ashamed and disappointed in myself for my ignorance back then. I want to be very clear: this is not reflective of what I think or who I am now. Years ago, thanks to friends and experiences who helped me to open my eyes, I began my journey into becoming a more responsible adult - in terms of what I say, what I do, and beyond. I've largely kept that journey private, and this is another way that I have let so many down. I still have more work to do. But how I define myself now does not take away the impact of my words, or my responsibility for them. I am very sorry.

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