“Literally went to jail as a teen for committing a hate crime against a Vietnamese man”: Mark Wahlberg’s Involvement in 2023 SAG Award Angers Fans
Mark Wahlberg’s appearance at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild awards sparked criticism online after the actor presented an award to the predominantly Asian cast of Everything Everywhere All At Once. The controversy erupted on social media, with netizens calling out Wahlberg’s past involvement in hate crimes against Asians.
Wahlberg’s conviction for assaults he committed at the age of 16 in 1988 in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood towards a pair of Vietnamese-American men has resurfaced. He was charged with attacking two Vietnamese men while high on the drug PCP and pleaded guilty to felony assault. Police officers reported that Wahlberg used racist slurs to describe both victims.
At the end of the SAG Awards ceremony on Sunday, Wahlberg announced the winner of the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, which went to Everything Everywhere All at Once. The drama, featuring a majority Asian cast, stars Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Ke Huy Quan.
Criticism on Social Media against Mark Wahlberg
Netizens took to social media to express their discontent with the decision to have Wahlberg present the award. Journalist Bonnie Stiernberg wrote,
“I gotta say, having Mark Wahlberg, who literally went to jail as a teen for committing a hate crime against a Vietnamese man, present an award to the cast of Everything Everywhere All At Once was certainly a choice.”
Others shared their thoughts on Twitter, with many condemning the SAG Awards’ decision to have Wahlberg present the award. One person wrote,
“Mark Wahlberg (who’s committed multiple hate crimes including against Asian people) giving sag ensemble prize to a predominantly Asian cast is genuinely such an embarrassing thing for Hollywood to do.”
The Ted Actor’s Past and Present
While some argue that Wahlberg has reformed in the decades since committing the crimes, his past actions continue to draw criticism. In 2014, he unsuccessfully sought a pardon for his attack on the two Vietnamese men, writing in an apology,
“I am deeply sorry for the actions that I took on the night of April 8, 1988, as well as for any lasting damage that I may have caused the victims.”
Since then, Mark Wahlberg has dedicated himself to becoming a better person and citizen, stating that he wants to be a role model to his children and others. However, his victims have expressed differing opinions on whether he should still be held accountable for his teenage actions.
The incident also serves as a reminder of the need for greater representation of Asian Americans in the entertainment industry. The cast of Everything Everywhere All At Once is a prime example of how Asian Americans can be represented in a positive light. The film’s success at the SAG Awards is a testament to the power of representation and the importance of recognizing the contributions of the Asian community in the entertainment industry.
Source: GeoTv
