Viral ‘grad with rifle’ image continues to cause a stir as Jim Carrey joins the debate
A controversial photo of student activist Kaitlin Bennett proudly bringing a gun to her graduation day continues to divide the American public, after actor Jim Carrey became the latest person to join the heated debate.
Carrey, best known for comedies such as ‘The Mask’ and ‘Bruce Almighty,’ is also a prolific painter. His politically charged art often mocks conservative politicians, such as President Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio. On Friday, he took a jab at Bennett by depicting her with a deformed face, standing alongside a demon-like figure. “Thanks a bunch Goldilocks. Enjoy the show in Santa Fe tomorrow. Someday, real soon, I’ll have you for dinner,” the actor wrote on Twitter, apparently referencing the recent high school shooting in Texas, which claimed 10 lives.
And the devil said, “Thanks a bunch Goldilocks. Enjoy the show in Santa Fe tomorrow. Someday, real soon, I’ll have you for dinner.” pic.twitter.com/h1G6smzK5t
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) 19 мая 2018 г.
Thank you for calling out these odious gun violence fetishists!
— CBK (@cbkevin) 20 мая 2018 г.
Perfect painting. Captures the ignorance, and white trashiness of the scenario.
— 🎾ArturoStevens🎾 (@arturostevens) 19 мая 2018 г.
Carrey’s stunt received a mixed reaction on social media. Some praised his message, commending the Hollywood star for speaking out against guns and promoting the call for tighter gun control.
KEEP DOING WHAT YOUR DOING JIM...AWARENESS IS KNOWLEDGE!!!!
— Victor Solano (@boxerrunner42) 20 мая 2018 г.
Others voiced disappointment with the actor’s actions, accusing him of bullying, and defending Bennett’s right to bear arms.
Some of his other art is comical, but it is so full of hate that it is difficult to appreciate it. This particular picture is truly aweful. Do you really think this girl would celebrate the massacre at Santa Fe?
— Solipsism5 (@sasi_kaza) 20 мая 2018 г.
Jim, I remember when you use to be funny, now you're just a whinny washed up celeb, now he likes bullying a teen girl because she supports the 2nd amendment. pretty sad the media can brainwash people.
— Kenneth Shotter (@Kcshotts) 19 мая 2018 г.
You know Jim, you used to be one of my favorite actors, but this, wow man. You people need to stop being such snowflakes and getting offended by every little thing. For heaven sakes, live and let live. It’s not that hard.
— Sean Lance (@slance0789) 19 мая 2018 г.
So now you’re mocking someone who stood up for their right to bear arms?! You’re a sick individual!!
— brock birchfield (@tigereye225) 19 мая 2018 г.
Bennett herself was quick to respond to Carrey’s attack. “Jim you should be the one in this picture with this caption,” the 22-year-old wrote. “You're the one that supports gun control policies that let these kids die. Is this what you have to do because you've become irrelevant? Disgusting.”
Bennett became a media sensation a week ago, when she donned a white dress with an AR-10 semi-automatic rifle strapped to her back, while graduating from Kent State University in Ohio. As she posed for photographs, she had “come and take it” written on her graduation cap. It was a protest against the university’s gun rules, the young woman explained. Kent State allows guests to carry firearms on campus, but not students or staff. Bennett considers the policy “insulting” and insists it makes students less safe.
Now that I graduated from @KentState, I can finally arm myself on campus. I should have been able to do so as a student- especially since 4 unarmed students were shot and killed by the government on this campus. #CampusCarryNowpic.twitter.com/a91fQH44cq
— Kaitlin Bennett (@KaitMarieox) 13 мая 2018 г.
The photo went viral. As of May 20, it got 28,000 “likes” and was retweeted more than 6,800 times. Bennett was met with cheers for standing up for gun rights. The image also sparked controversy for its gun-friendly nature, as it was posted several months after the deadly Parkland school shooting in February. As a result, Bennett – who was a conservative activist on campus and now holds a biology degree – received death threats. The ensuing backlash led to the right-wing group the Oath Keepers offering her free protection.
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