Agents of SHIELD star Chloe Bennet has spoken out against people calling COVID-19 the “Chinese virus,” and how the term breeds racism amid a crisis. Bennet, who plays Daisy Johnson on the Marvel television series, has always been outspoken with her beliefs, and frequently uses her Instagram as a way to connect with everyone. She also plays one of the first Asian-American MCU heroes on-screen, leading the way for others like Nico Minoru (The Runaways) and Shang-Chi, who will lead the first Asian superhero movie for Marvel.
In a post on her Instagram, Bennet addresses why calling the coronavirus the “Chinese virus” is unacceptable and xenophobic. She speaks about her experience facing this racism firsthand, as well as how her family and friends are feeling shame and fear for something that is not their fault. Bennet writes that this rhetoric “will fuel hate and create a breeding ground for bigotry and racism.”
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Maurissa Tancharoen, who is one of the creators of Agents of SHIELD, also took to Twitter to speak out against the racism Asians are facing right now. Both women call for people to unify and support the Asian community instead of allowing this situation to drive us all apart.
Agents of SHIELD is scheduled to return for a seventh season in mid-2020, though because of the coronavirus, some of the stars are calling for an early release. The new season will be the last for Marvel’s longest-running MCU series to date.
Source: Screenrant, by DEVON FORWARD