Rosanna Arquette: 'I'm sorry I was born white and privileged'

Updated

Rosanna Arquette has locked her Twitter account after a tweet she posted on Wednesday prompted “threatening and cruel” backlash.

US actress Rosanna Arquette arrives for the 2019 Women in Film Annual Gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, on June 12, 2019. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP)        (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images)
Rosanna Arquette addressed white privilege on Twitter. (Photo: VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images)

The actress, known for starring in films like Desperately Seeking Susan and Pulp Fiction, as well as her recent work as a #MeToo activist, caused a stir when she tweeted that she felt “so much shame” and disgust at being born white and privileged.

Arquette's tweet. (Photo: Twitter)
Arquette's tweet. (Photo: Twitter)

Arquette — whose siblings include actors Patricia, David and the late Alexis Arquette — faced ridicule from conservative commenters thanks in part to far-right outlet Breitbart News’s coverage of her statement.

Many of the reactions, including one from comedian Nick DiPaolo, made claims about her mental health, with some of the more abusive tweets suggesting suicide.

In a statement to The Wrap, Arquette claimed that the FBI had urged her to make her Twitter account private, though she didn’t elaborate on how federal law enforcement got involved. Only the 89,600 accounts who were already following Arquette — who has locked her account in the past — are privy to her tweets.

“Yes, I’m locked to protect myself,” she said, adding, “I was told by FBI to lock it up.

“There are toxic and very vicious people on social media,” she continued. “Threatening and cruel. I said yesterday the I am ashamed of the color of my skin. I am privileged just because I’m white. I feel shame. Because of all the violence that is happening in America and other racist countries.”

Arquette has primarily used her Twitter to criticize Donald Trump as well as speak about women’s rights and the #MeToo movement, which she became involved in after going public with her allegation of being sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein in the ‘90s. She has blamed her rejection of the movie producer for being “blackballed” by the film industry.

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