Leslie Jones defends Ghostbusters character after racial stereotyping accusations

The actress took to Twitter to defend her character's career as a Metropolitan Transportation Authority worker 
Emma Powell7 March 2016
The Weekender

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Leslie Jones has defended her Ghostbusters character after some people claimed it was an example of racial stereotyping.

Jones, 48, plays a Metropolitan Transportation Authority worker in Paul Feig's all-female remake, but the portrayal of the only non-white Ghostbuster as a subway worker caused unrest on social media.

Defending her role, Jones labelled those making the claims "racist", tweeting: “I'm playing a hardworking woman. The regular one that rep the people. You guys are the racists by labelling her a lowly MTA worker. Not me.

“Doesn't make her char dumb or not needed. Every movie has that element cause it's A MOVIE! Next movie I'll B a teacher or soldier or scientist.

“But this role I'm a MTA worker. People I'm an actor I play everyone. Y'all are the ones making this bad. So next time I'll be a Minion.Ok?!”

She finished by joking: “And y'all p*****g my Aunt Pat off. She bout to catch a case lol. Y'all do not want my Aunt Pat to show up! Y'all a*s will call me then!!”

The Saturday Night Live host later informed fans that she had not taken the negative comments to heart but instead praised the "haters" for making her work hard.

She tweeted: "Hey I just want everyone to know that I really am not taking anything to heart what's being said by haters. There will always be haters.

"Haters make me work sooo hard real talk. I just love giving s**t back to s**t talkers cause for somebody got to said it. Might as well be me.

"That's why this forum is a curse and a blessing everyone gets to say what they feel even if it is mean.You got to take the good with the bad.

"But I have to say it's really amazing all the attention. Isn't the Internet fun!! Lol goodnight y'all."

She added: "P.S. Always love your haters they keep you on your game. And aware of how bomb you are. if you wasn't they wouldn't give you the attention!"

The first two minute trailer dropped last week and features Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Jones in their ghost busting get-up as they tackle a “class four apparition” in New York’s Times Square.

Fans got their first look at Chris Hemsworth and a sneak peek of the Slimer in a film which will also feature cameos from original cast members Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Sigourney Weaver.

First look: Ghostbusters

1/5

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