Shazam! actor Zachary Levi came under attack for his “white privilege” and was accused of believing in the sexist practice of the friend zone. However, he defended himself and stood up to the onslaught of criticism against him.

The episode began when Levi retweeted another one of his fan’s who enjoyed one of his livestreams that talked about treating people on social media the way you would treat each other in person.

The fan posted a photo of his thoughts reflecting on Levi’s Instagram livestream.

The fan wrote:

“I’ve been thinking a lot about something Zac said in one of his Instagram lives lately, about the kind of people who pile onto tweets they don’t agree with etc. Zac was talking about something similar when he said that people wouldn’t behave the same way in person and it made me think… Imagine a person saying something and then a group of people crowding them telling them why they are wrong or out of line. That terrifies me to think of so why would people think online is any different. It’s still a group of people mobbing a person. I’ve never piled onto a conversation that didn’t involve me purely to tell someone they are wrong.”

Levi added his own thoughts:

Precisely. Conduct yourself online in the same way you’d conduct yourself in real life. Dasswassup. ? https://t.co/efgVN1PTHg — Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) April 30, 2018

That’s when one Twitter user decided to disagree with Levi.

FYI, like you a lot but I would absolutely tell you that “the friend zone” was a Bullshit concept with a sexist history in person. I would have told you at the stage door for “She Loves Me” where I was so excited to meet you a few years ago. Because it is. — Shades of Limelight (@CertainshadesL) April 30, 2018

Zachary Levi responded to that by saying, “You may feel very strongly about it, but feelings do not equal fact, no matter how intense.”

And I would’ve politely told you that you’re entitled to your opinion, as it’s just that. You may feel very strongly about it, but feelings do not equal fact, no matter how intense. Also, calling someone else’s thoughts “bullshit” isn’t a very productive way of changing a mind.? https://t.co/0sDhjHwWsS — Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) April 30, 2018

The Twitter user then claimed that Zachary Levi was cyber bullying them because he responded to her. They then post a bunch of articles that claim the friend zone is a sexist idea.

Asking you to reflect on sexism is not a matter of “opinion.” And quote tweeting me so your followers can pile on me is a form of cyber bullying. https://t.co/cTVnPrGZYz. — Shades of Limelight (@CertainshadesL) April 30, 2018

https://t.co/Gg8jQcW5xb. Here is another resource. All anyone asked you to do was try and reflect on why this is a sexist concept. Your subsequent behavior has cost you a genuine fan. — Shades of Limelight (@CertainshadesL) April 30, 2018

Levi made it very clear he disagreed with the articles presented as evidence.

I did read the @vicenews article. From my perspective it is a myopic op-ed at best, and an op-ed making egregious, damning, sweeping generalizations of all men at worst. It is very clear why you feel the way you do, but that doesn’t obligate me to agree with you. ?‍♂️ https://t.co/E8cLYOTY44 — Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) May 1, 2018

And that’s when the so-called “fan” decided to try to silence Levi by saying men shouldn’t lead conversations about sexism and white men shouldn’t lead conversations about racism.

With all due respect to him, men really shouldn’t be leading debates about what is and isn’t sexist anymore than white people should be leading convos about what is and isn’t racist. I’m a huge fan of his but this is super disappointing. — Shades of Limelight (@CertainshadesL) April 30, 2018

However, Levi wouldn’t be silenced. He would explain that what she tried to do was racism.

And, with all due respect to you, saying that men can’t lead meaningful conversations about sexism, and that white people can’t lead meaningful conversations about racism, is both sexist and racist. Truth doesn’t care about privilege, nor do those who seek it. ? https://t.co/JxQP0P4h3u — Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) May 1, 2018

And that’s when all hell broke loose.

No, man. If you were really interested in truth, the first thing you’d do is acknowledge that you need to listen to someone else to get the whole of it. White men *shouldn’t* lead these conversations because we don’t know what we don’t know. — ROU Do Not Congratulate (@braak) May 1, 2018

Man, I was really hoping you weren’t “that” guy. You’d benefit from listening more and “leading meaningful conversations” less. Just look at a good sample of the folks going to bat for what you’ve stated thus far. Look, listen, learn. — THE Matt Peters (@MightyInkMatt) May 1, 2018

You really don’t get it do you ?????. You = privileged white male, trying to define sexism & racism is beyond laughable. You have no clue what those two words mean especially when you try to equate them to the oppressors being challenged about their oppressive ways. Unlearn. — Bruce Wayne (@bruce_wayne00) May 1, 2018

If by lead, you mean introduce someone with expertise and then sit down, you’d be right. You are utterly wrong-headed about sexism and racism, though, so it looks like you still have some learning to do. The only way to navigate this with privilege is to check it at the door. — paul (@firalaind) May 1, 2018

Did you really write this? Go away. — Sasha DUKS (@BooDuks) May 1, 2018

This is childish and misinformed. Next time actually listen instead of just sitting in your hurt feelings and retweeting any woman/person of color who will cape for you. — jordan (@whomofcolor) May 1, 2018

No. It’s not. That’s not how it works. The perpetrators of injustices don’t get to center themselves as the solution. — Crissi Mora (@CrissiAndCo) May 1, 2018

One person even threatened to cancel the upcoming Shazam! movie.

you can be apart of the conversation but you cant LEAD it. You better watch your tone before we cancel this #shazam movie before we even see a trailer — CHAMP (@itsChampJohnson) May 1, 2018

However, there were quite a few people who agreed with him as well.

Well said sir. Well said. — Todd Strickland (@toadstri) May 1, 2018

I agree with you. Wholeheartedly — Felicity (@felicitykate) May 1, 2018

Levi didn’t stop there in defending his position. He posted a much lengthier defense.

Because 280 characters is never, ever enough to explain what you mean. Truth is, these 3 pics barely cover it, but I’m tryin folks. I really am. ? pic.twitter.com/QduCN5Et14 — Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) May 1, 2018

He wrote:

After logging on to Twitter tonight, and seeing the onslaught of hate directed at me, or at the very least misunderstanding, I wanted to take a moment to at least attempt to clarify my words from earlier. As a white man, my experiences in life certainly vary from that of a woman or a POC. I don’t assume to know all the ins and outs of anyone’s life, other than my own. But I do know that sexism is discrimination based on one’s gender, and racism is discrimination based on one’s race. I also know what it means to lead a meaningful conversation. To bring people together to discuss things that I don’t profess to be an authority on, but rather learn while hoping to maintain civility and accord between various parties in an attempt to find common ground and peace. So when I was told that I can’t lead a meaningful conversation about either sexism or racism because of my gender and the color of my skin, I believe that to be be both sexist and racist. It may not be systemic. It may not be the plight of others. But it is discrimination. I’m not attempting to downplay the wrongs that are happening to women or people of color in this world. I’m not trying to silence anyone. In fact, I believe that my behavior and demeanor have shown quite the contrary. I try and use social media as a platform for peace, love, empathy, encouragement, inspiration, truth, acceptance, knowledge, and perhaps the greatest balm of all, humor. I have dedicated what platform and privilege I have been blessed with to try and break down barriers between all peoples. To help those that feel excluded, feel included. To help those that feel less than to know the beauty of their true worth. I strive to be someone that never buys into the nonsense of fame and celebrity, because I believe that no life is more or less valuable than any other. Period. I am not perfect. I fail often in my endeavors to do these things. In some of your minds, I have done just that tonight. I’m sorry if that’s your take away of my character, as that certainly isn’t my intention. I wholeheartedly agree that one should never be silenced based on their gender, or skin color. I’m merely asking for that same right to be afforded to me. I may be white, and I may be a man, but I am first and foremost a human being, seeking truth with all my heart, and trying to make the world a little better than when I came into it, for everyone. Even those of you who hate me. I hope one day I might be able to change your mind, but in the meantime, know that I return your hate with love. I will continue to think and pray on the events of tonight, as this is a complex matter deserving of such attention. Peace be with you all. Truly. We need it now in this world more than ever. Zac

What do you make of Levi’s stance? Is he in the right? Or is he completely wrong? Will his position affect whether or not you see Shazam!?

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