British actor Damson Idris recently addressed a critical issue on social media: the rampant online bullying targeting young Black female celebrities. In a candid Instagram Story posted on December 11, the acclaimed “Snowfall” star expressed his disapproval of the negative and often aggressive behavior exhibited by adult Black men towards these rising stars.

Idris, known for his reflective insights, shared, “I see so much unprovoked hatred towards Black women today, predominantly by grown Black men. This especially targets our young stars, who are simply striving to excel in their careers. The intent to ‘humble’ these women under the guise of masculinity is a flawed perception of manhood. As a new year dawns, it’s time for growth and maturity.”

His statement emerges amidst recent online attacks on Lori Harvey, his former girlfriend, where she faced unwarranted criticism and comparisons on social media. The situation escalated when a photo of Harvey at The Serving Spoon, a restaurant in Inglewood, California, led to derogatory comments and unfavorable comparisons with another woman featured in the image. The restaurant felt compelled to intervene, urging online commentators to refrain from diminishing others and to “stop trying to dim people’s light.”

Although the impetus behind Idris’ comments wasn’t explicitly stated, the timing suggests it was in response to the harassment Harvey faced. The actor and Harvey had previously announced their amicable split in early November, after a year of publicly celebrated romance that included vacations, social media exchanges, and joint appearances at industry events.

Their joint statement on the separation highlighted their mutual respect and affection, stating, “We are at a point in our lives where our individual paths require our full attention and dedication. We part ways remaining friends, with nothing but love and respect for each other and the time we shared together.”

Idris’ stance against online misogyny is a call for a broader societal change, particularly among adult Black men, to foster a more supportive and respectful environment for young Black women in the entertainment industry.

Ntianu Obiora
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Ntianu Obiora is a versatile creative professional with over a decade of experience in publishing, marketing, communications, and digital strategy. She is the Online Editor at THEWILL DOWNTOWN