Shonda Rhimes Fires Back at New York Times Writer who Called her an ‘Angry Black Woman’
In a New York Times article, published Thursday, about “the image of African-American women on television,” Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes was referred to as an, “angry black woman.”
“When Shonda Rhimes writes her autobiography, it should be called ‘How to Get Away With Being an Angry Black Woman.’”
The article is about the black female characters on Rhimes’ shows, in light of the addition of Viola Davis on the new How to Get Away With Murder. The article praises her for doing “more to reset the image of African-American women on television than anyone since Oprah Winfrey” but repeats the phrase “angry black woman” over and over again.
Rhimes was, unsurprisingly, not too happy about that. She took to Twitter to air her displeasure.
First she noted that the Times called her the “creator” of How to Get Away With Murder, when the creator is actually Pete Nowalk.
Confused why @nytimes critic doesn’t know identity of CREATOR of show she’s reviewing. @petenowa did u know u were “an angry black woman”?
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014
Apparently we can be “angry black women” together, because I didn’t know I was one either! @petenowa #LearnSomethingNewEveryday
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014
She noted that the article linked her to her black characters, but not the white characters she created.
Final thing: (then I am gonna do some yoga): how come I am not “an angry black woman” the many times Meredith (or Addison!) rants? @nytimes
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014
Wait. I’m” angry” AND a ROMANCE WRITER?!! I’m going to need to put down the internet and go dance this one out. Because ish is getting real.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014