Chris Pratt under fire for insensitive voting post

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it’s safe to assume that you’re well aware the U.S. election takes place next month. And given everything that’s been going on in the world, it’s kind of a big deal who the next elected American leader will be. Unfortunately Chris Pratt didn’t seem to get that memo with his latest social media post, and his fans were quick to take him to task for it.In an Instagram post last week, Pratt made fun of all the celebrities who have been urging their followers to vote, and then turned it around into a campaign for his movie, Onward. “With all that’s going on in the world it is more important than ever that you vote. Just ask any celebrity. They will tell you. Every day. Several times a day. To vote,” he began. “But me? I will tell you EXACTLY who to vote for. #onward”The Jurassic World star wasn’t done there. “The heroes before us did not spill their blood only to have their sacrifices wasted by your apathy. The upcoming 2020 People’s Choice Awards is the most consequential vote in the history of mankind times a million infinity,” he added. “Vote for #Onward for family movie of the year. Or else. You WILL die. No hyperbole. Click the link in my bio. Let your voice be heard.”

 

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With all that’s going on in the world it is more important than ever that you vote. Just ask any celebrity. They will tell you. Every day. Several times a day. To vote. But me? I will tell you EXACTLY who to vote for. #onward The heroes before us did not spill their blood only to have their sacrifices wasted by your apathy. The upcoming 2020 People’s Choice Awards is the most consequential vote in the history of mankind times a million infinity. Vote for #Onward for family movie of the year. Or else. You WILL die. No hyperbole. Click the link in my bio. Let your voice be heard.

A post shared by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Oct 2, 2020 at 4:15am PDT

Clearly Pratt was joking, but given the mood right now it didn’t take long for people to weigh in that maybe the 41-year-old had missed the mark. “This is tone deaf and gross,” wrote a user named Adam Ellis. “Sad you don’t realize just how insensitive and elitist this post is,” added a user named @bearblackterrior. “People have literally died for the right to vote. Feel sorry for Arnold that his daughter married you. Maybe hire someone to do your posts.”The critics didn’t stop there. “I get this is supposed to be a cute little joke but it comes off as really insensitive,” wrote @vi_bee. “The upcoming election is really important and everyone should vote and for you to try and take that and turn it into an ad for your movie is low.”[video_embed id='2041318']RELATED: Harry and Meghan encourage people to vote[/video_embed]“You are a very privileged white man. Slow clap. Very disappointed in you. While your peers are trying to make a real difference, you are sitting on your butt cracking sarcastic jokes at them,” shared @radionoise8.“You’re better than this,” added @usgrick. “Right now with so much at stake with the vote and what is going on right now, you have to be sensitive to all of it. Be better.” Others took to the comments to remind Pratt that so far more than 210,000 people have lost their lives because of the pandemic (another hot political issue), and that only people from a place of privilege would be able to carelessly joke about something as important as the 2020 election.“Must be nice to have enough money and hide behind your privilege at this time. If a reality tv star president can have an opinion, it would be nice if you stepped outside your bubble and read the climate,” wrote @laurenelizabeth25. “This is funny to those not affected by: white supremacy, police brutality, Covid-19, and all the other ‘things’ Americans have to be personally affected by to care. Would be pretty big of you to use your platform right now for the real issues at hand, not another movie you made. Ya, I know he doesn’t care what we say and no I’m not a ‘diehard snowflake’, but a human with compassion for where we are as a country and the fact voting isn’t funny in this election. Be better. This may not affect you, but it will your kids someday. VOTE (not for a stupid movie).”Not all of Pratt’s fans were dismayed by the post, though. There were others who saw Pratt’s intentions for what they were and felt that those taking offense in the comments should lighten up a little. “Geez. Everyone really has lost their sense of humour,” wrote @aravykenobi. “No one is going out to vote just because a celebrity said so. If that’s their inspiration to vote, I’m not sure they should be making any important decisions, honestly. This is just a lighthearted post and there’s nothing wrong with that. No one’s going to take the election less seriously because Chris Pratt posted about the People’s Choice Awards.”“This is hilarious. Keep being you Starlord. Yes, voting is absolutely important. But you should already know that. A celebrity shouldn't have to convince you by posting everyday to vote. Take a chill pill y'all,” added a user named @bossmantep.“Not sure why anyone is getting upset about this post?” questioned @peeputt. “Are people so thin-skinned to be able to enjoy ironic humour anymore? Geez… I mean, this was office & parks & rec quality humour that so many supposedly love but all of the sudden it’s not funny? Chris, keeping doing you.”“Love it, man. You say what you want! People have a choice in how they react to anything. Thoughts control emotions, emotions control attitude, attitude controls actions. A person chooses to be offended,” added @raponator.So… Insensitive and offensive or low-key funny? You be the judge, but it definitely sounds like Pratt’s 29.4 million followers were pretty divided. Meanwhile, fans have a little over a month to find out whether the actor’s campaign to get votes for Onward at the upcoming People’s Choice Awards paid off. Voting closes on October 23 and the show goes down on November 15 from the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica.[video_embed id='2030335']Before you go: Cat attempts daily hilarious attack on mail carrier[/video_embed]