Gay actor BD Wong apologises for racist joke: ‘Nobody gets a free pass’

BD Wong has apologised for making a racist joke on social media recognising that “nobody gets a free pass”.

The Jurassic World: Dominion actor, 65, who is gay, had responded to a post by Mike Holston, a Black influencer who goes by @TheRealTarzan.

On Monday (1 December) Holston posted a clip of himself with a binturong on his shoulders and the caption: “Name this animal… wrong answers only.” In response, Wong commented: “It appears to be a Black man.”

Afterward, Wong deleted the comment and posted an apology on Threads on Tuesday (2 December).

“Y’all l made a very bad joke,” the actor started. “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: SVU star recognised it had been “super dumb”, and that his response to the prompt had “succeeded only in that it was Super Wrong”.

He continued: “I know nobody gets a free pass. I’m sorry if this moment tarnished any respect you may’ve had for me. & thanks if you advocate for an internet that’s safe for everybody.”

Later, he returned to add he “recognises & accept the responsibility for how terrible” his comment was.

“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 humour; I do know better, but again no excuses,” he also said.

He then once again apologised for “the hurt l’ve caused & for taking lightly something so deeply injurious”.

As well as his roles in the Jurassic Park films and Law & Order: SVU, Wong is known for starring in Mr Robot, and Gotham, as well as numerous series and films.

Wong also notably provided the voice of Captain Li Shang in Disney’s animated classic, Mulan. Speaking of the character in 2021, the actor said Shiang was “sexually fluid”, following years of discourse around the character being bisexual.

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