Actor on The Flash Set Fired for Racist and Misogynistic Tweets

Despite 2020 being an incredibly difficult year, there are some good things coming out of it. For example, it seems that time’s up for homophobic and misogynist people. Recently, The Flash star, Hartley Sawyer, was kicked out of the show over inappropriate tweets.

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Inside voices, please. Stream the season finale free only on The CW, link in bio. #TheFlash

A post shared by The Flash (@cwtheflash) on May 16, 2020 at 3:01pm PDT

Based on DC Comics’ character, The Flash is a spin-off of Arrow.

Developed by Greg Berlanti, the show revolves around DC Comics superhero, who has the ability to move with superhuman speed. The protagonist, Barry Allen, is a crime scene investigator, who uses his special powers to solve crimes. In 2014, the pilot of The Flash became the second most-watched in the history of the CW. Before that, The Vampire Diaries held this record. The cast of The Flash includes Grant Gustin, Hartley Sawyer, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, and Tom Cavanagh.

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Tonight. Season six premiere. You’re going to love this. #theflash

A post shared by Hartley Sawyer (@hartleysawyer) on Oct 8, 2019 at 11:42am PDT

Recently, Hartley Sawyer was fired from the show when his inappropriate tweets resurfaced

On the show, Hartley Sawyer plays Ralph Dibny who is a private investigator with superpowers like elasticity and malleability. Recently, the showrunners removed him from The Flash. Although Sawyer has deleted his Twitter, his tweets have already circulated on the internet. In the extremely homophobic and misogynistic tweets, he said:

“The only thing keeping me from doing mildly racist tweets is the knowledge that Al Sharpton would never stop complaining about me.”

In another one, he said:

 “As a lad, one of my favorite activities was kidnapping homeless women and cutting off their breasts.”

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#BlackLivesMatter

A post shared by Hartley Sawyer (@hartleysawyer) on May 29, 2020 at 5:47pm PDT

Since then, a joint statement came out. Warner Bros Television, The CW channel, Berlanti Productions and showrunner of The Flash, Eric Wallace said:

“Hartley Sawyer will not be returning for Season 7 of ‘The Flash.’ In regards to Mr. Sawyer’s posts on social media, we do not tolerate derogatory remarks that target any race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. Such remarks are antithetical to our values and polices, which strive and evolve to promote a safe, inclusive and productive environment for our workforce.”

My statement regarding Hartley Sawyer and THE FLASH. pic.twitter.com/hni0MxOWZU

— Eric Wallace (@ewrote) June 8, 2020

Despite Sawyer’s apology, people are applauding the decision of kicking him off the show.

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My words, irrelevant of being meant with an intent of humor, were hurtful, and unacceptable. I am ashamed I was capable of these really horrible attempts to get attention at that time. I regret them deeply. This was not acceptable behavior. These were words I threw out at the time with no thought or recognition of the harm my words could do, and now have done today. I am incredibly sorry, ashamed and disappointed in myself for my ignorance back then. I want to be very clear: this is not reflective of what I think or who I am now. Years ago, thanks to friends and experiences who helped me to open my eyes, I began my journey into becoming a more responsible adult – in terms of what I say, what I do, and beyond. I've largely kept that journey private, and this is another way that I have let so many down. I still have more work to do. But how I define myself now does not take away the impact of my words, or my responsibility for them. I am very sorry.

A post shared by Hartley Sawyer (@hartleysawyer) on May 30, 2020 at 11:59am PDT