Rachel Griffiths: America is burning people are dying but look at my manicure
Rachel Griffiths is an Australian actress who is one of the greatest movies of all time, Hilary & Jackie (seriously, seek it out, it’s amazing). You might also remember her from Six Feet Under. I didn’t know much about her or her life or beliefs. I still don’t. But I don’t want to know now that I’ve read this story. Rachel used to live and work in America, but she moved back to Australia years ago, from what I can determine. Thus, what’s happening “in America” doesn’t really affect her, I guess, even though Australia has deeply rooted problems with racism too. But who cares about any of that when we could talk about Rachel’s manicure.
Rachel Griffiths is in hot water for a tone-deaf Instagram post showing off her fresh manicure and giant diamond ring amid the George Floyd protests and coronavirus pandemic. The Australian actress, 51, shared a photo of her light pink nails earlier this week, captioned, “Shallow I know …. America is burning people are dying … but still it just seems easier on the soul to watch all this happening with beautiful nails. And judging by the line of desperate ladies I am not alone. Shallow people we are but I need to share this important covid update. The manicurists are open!!! Tip generously as they have had not income since covid lockdown.”
Almost immediately, the internet lit up in shock. The “Six Feet Under” star deleted the post and issued a lengthy apology on Tuesday.
“The last few days have been wrenching,” Griffiths began, sharing a video of Australian newscaster Stan Grant talking about Indigenous Australians. “My post early today leant away from that pain but I understand in doing so it pained others who can’t look away from what’s happening — can’t turn off and check out because it is their lives — their brothers their sisters their children. And it’s not over ‘there.’ This [is] our country’s stain also. I did not intend to trivialise just escape it. But that I understand is part of the problem. I am sorry. I am sorry that I got this so wrong today. I am sorry that I abdicated any meaningful sense making of what is happening this week and has been happening for centuries. Thank you to the people who have called me out. I have a long way to go to truly understand my white bitch privilege.”
The only thing I’ll say in very mild defense of Rachel is that ALL people are 100% allowed to not spend every waking moment thinking about racism and violence and what’s happening here and around the world. We’re allowed to give ourselves a break for our own mental health. That being said, you don’t segue from “yes people are dying and racism blah blah LOOK AT MY NAILS!” My God. White bitch privilege, 100%.
That segue 😬 pic.twitter.com/ch2NTbSDOp
— Nick Bond (@bondnickbond) June 2, 2020
Photos courtesy of WENN.
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