Everything That Upset the Internet This Week

by Meghan McKenna

What is the web-o-sphere angry about this week? A global actress left off The Avengers top billing, a global actress included on the cover of Vogue and a pay-for-play elite education scheme. Here’s everything you need to know:

A College Admissions Scandal is Revealed

THE STORY: Earlier this week, federal prosecutors announced that dozens of wealthy individuals are face charges for taking part in a college bribery scheme. Actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman are among the parents involved in the scandal, which involved cheating on standardized tests and faking athletic abilities to get children admitted into elite colleges.

THE REACTION:

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: Having watched Gossip Girl and Gilmore Girls, I always assumed this was how the college admission system worked for America’s most wealthy:

And then, of course, there’s the “legal” way that rich parents give their children an academic advantage: hire private tutors, send kids to prestigious feeder schools, receive legacy preference. However, when corner-cutting becomes blatant law-breaking, it’s easier for us to understand the lengths at which the elite are willing to go to maintain their privilege. And, when it’s framed in this way, it’s also easier for us to get angry about. Here’s hoping that the outrage creates a larger conversation about a broken system.

Danai Gurira is Left Off Avengers: Endgame Poster Top Billing

THE STORY: Marvel Studio’s released the official poster for Avengers: Endgame on Friday, along with the highly anticipated film’s first full-length trailer. 13 of the main actors who survived Infinity War—Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson among them—were displayed on the originally released poster. Only 12 names, however, were credited in the top billing.

Actress Danai Gurira, who plays Okoye, a General of the Dora Milaje, in the Black Panther franchise, was the only face on the poster whose name appeared in the small, footnote credits.

THE REACTION:

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: It didn’t take Marvel very long to re-release a rectified poster, with Gurira rightfully placed in top billing. That said, they didn’t exactly apologize. Instead, they gave a brief response on their Twitter: “She should have been up there all this time. Check out the official Marvel Studios’ #AvengersEndgame poster.”

I’m just hoping that this wasn’t a subtle sign that Okoye isn’t going to make very far into the film. And I’m really hoping that the rest of the Black Panther cast joins her on screen by the end of Endgame.

Scarlett Johansson “Transcends Borders” on New Vogue Cover

THE STORY: Above the tagline ’14 Countries, 14 Superstars: The Global Actors Who Know No Limits,’ Scarlett Johansson appears on the April cover of American Vogue alongside South Korean actress Doona Bae and Indian actress Deepika Padukone.

Johansson was featured in “Everything That Upset the Internet This Week” last year when she was cast as a trans man in the film Rub & Tug. The project was dropped, but the controversy around it created a larger conversation about the actress’ choice of characters: in 2017, Johnsson became the poster girl for Hollywood whitewashing when she played the title role in Ghost in the Shell, a film that was adapted from Japanese manga.

 

THE REACTION:

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: I understand why Vogue would think to include Johansson in this package of women around the world. She is, after all, one of the highest paid and most popular actresses in Hollywood right now — so it makes sense to me that they would invite her to be a part of this survey, especially with Avengers: Endgame being released next month.

The article was an opportunity for Johansson to address her controversial casting history, and it’s unfortunate that this doesn’t happen. Instead, she talked about how she “remembers being quite lonely” while filming Lost in Translation in  Tokyo. It’s also unfortunate that the controversy around Johansson has taken the spotlight away from the other 13 global talents featured. We promise we’re still paying attention: read more about Bollywood star Deepika Padukone here.

The post Everything That Upset the Internet This Week appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Back to FASHION Magazine