Jonathan Scott doesn’t need your negativity on social media, and he’s doing something about it.
The “Property Brothers” star released a video to all his detractors on Sunday after receiving a wave of negative backlash to a previous post in which he shared his support for the March For Our Lives protest.
“It’s hard to define what’s most important to me… There are many things,” the 39-year-old star wrote on Instagram. “But protecting the innocent definitely tops the list. I support you. #MarchForOurLives.”
Almost immediately, those who viewed the post took to the comments to assert that the celebrity shouldn’t be pushing a political agenda. Angrier users even went as far as to note that Scott is Canadian and, in their minds, should not comment on U.S. politics.
Scott wasn’t having it, and posted a more than two minute video of himself dressing down the negative commenters and defending his ability to discuss what he wants to discuss on his social media.
“If it offends you when I post saying I believe in protecting our nation’s children and supporting their right to free speech. Well, I’m sorry you feel that right is only for the privileged few,” he said.
The star continued, commenting on those who chastised his previous posts about clean energy and equality.
”I honestly look for the good in all people and whether you believe in God or you believe in your country or you believe in family, they all have one thing in common in that they stand for something greater than themselves. I see all of your negative comments, the hateful comments you post and it gives me that pit in the bottom of my stomach because I’m posting something good and positive and, at the end of the day, I just want to spark conversation,” he says in the video below. “But, I can’t think of what could possibly be more important than basic human kindness. I feel like you reach a crossroad when you want to stand up and voice your opinion. You can either stand up and say something constructive, or stand up and say something destructive. And, lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of the latter.”
Scott concluded his message with a note to all those who simply won’t listen to the point he was trying to convey with the fiery video.
“I just want everybody to come and enjoy the experience. We are all about everybody getting inspired,” he says. “And if after all that you still feel like you want to come in here and post something negative and hateful, well, frankly, p--- off because you are no longer welcome.”