No, White People Are Not Being Attacked At 'Black Panther' Screenings

If you've spent even a small amount of time on the internet, you know that it can be just as awful as it is great. More recently, the social media landscape has been more horrific than pleasing, and a new example of intentional lies being used to create division and controversy has found its way to the cinema.

This weekend brings Black Panther to theaters, a milestone Marvel movie for a number of reasons, not the least of which is how much black talent is present on the screen and behind the camera. But some racist trolls have used this as an opportunity to heighten racial tension and hate with outright lies about white people being attacked by black audience members.

BuzzFeed brought our attention to the pathetic Twitter posts spreading lies about these non-existent attacks. Even comedian Roy Wood Jr. from The Daily Show was helping to debunk the nonsense out there:

No stock photos formed against #BlackPanther shall prosper. 'CSI: Black Twitter' should be a show pic.twitter.com/J9KNFHw9tv

— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) February 16, 2018

That image of a bloody paper towel was easily reverse Google Image searched to prove that it was not from an incident involving an attack during a Black Panther screening. Other tweets are using far more graphic images of women with black eyes and blood on their faces after instances of domestic abuse and violence. These images come from other events and are unrelated to Black Panther showings. Once again, this is easily reverse Google Image searched. You can see some of the other instances over at Buzzfeed (if you can stomach it).

Thankfully, many of the accounts behind these lies have already been reported and suspended for this garbage. If you happen to see any more of this nonsense on Twitter, make sure you report them and stop the spread of misinformation.

These attempts at sowing racial discord come from despicable chumps and are obviously reprehensible, but even more frustrating is that this goes entirely against the message of Black Panther. The entire movie is about using power and resources to help those in need. It's about not turning your back on people in their most desperate hour. It's about saving people instead of pushing them aside as others move forward. It's about unity and respect.

Trying to create controversy during what is supposed to be a communal appreciation of an important blockbuster is lower than low and it shows how desperate some jerks are to create division between people. But just as T'Challa goes out of his way to bring people together in Black Panther, it's up to moviegoers to remain united in the face of the racist trolls.

And to everyone out there trying to ruin what seems like a mere moment: Black Panther isn't going anywhere.