F**k It Friday: Leslie Jones

HI THERE. Welcome back to F**k It Friday - a weekly feature from MTV Breaks that’s all about saying a big “f**k yeah” to the most excellent people who’ve said “f**k it” (probably) and taken a leap of faith to make big things happen.

Cos it’s not about just having ideas – it’s about believing in yourself, and making them happen. AMIRIGHT?

So who’s next up in the FIF roll call of honour? Drumroll… it’s LESLIE JONES.

So Leslie (for those who don’t know) is a writer, actor and stand-up comedian who recently starred in the new all-female ‘Ghostbusters’. The film has received a very cringe-worthy backlash from offended anti-women fans of the historic franchise, but Leslie was recently subjected to Twitter troll nastiness that was on a whole other level from her co-stars.

Not only was she subjected to loads of horrendously racist tweets, but fake homophobic tweets about “fags” were manufactured and attributed to her name, even though she had nothing to do with them. It was another LEVEL of victimization.

That much Twitter hate must be intimidating, right? Well, Leslie wasn’t going to be silenced, cos she’s a hero. She said “f**k it” (probably) and tweeted lengthy responses to the hate and racism she was experiencing, replying only with political messages of sadness instead of hate.

She said, “I’m not stupid to know racism exists. And I know it will probably live on way after me. But we have to make people take responsibility.”

Leslie sadly announced she was leaving Twitter after feeling so personally attacked through no fault of her own. But we think anyone with half a brain can see this as an example of how much the world needs to change, and we think Leslie reacted perfectly and rose above all of it.

That’s why we’re crowning her this week. Leslie - you are Queen “F**k It”. And we’ll always have your back.

- Emily Hooley